Braised Fennel Wedges with Saffron and Tomato Recipe

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Braised fennel wedges with saffron and tomato makes a delicious meal paired with any type of seafood or black rice.

Photo by Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton

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Saffron adds color and flavor to a rich, simple summer dish.

Photo by iStock

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Fennel is an ingredient that pairs well with seafood.

Photo by iStock

30 min DURATION

25 min COOK TIME

5 min PREP TIME

4 servings SERVINGS

Ingredients

2 large fennel bulbs
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
Good pinch of saffron threads
1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1-1⁄2 cups Fennel Stock, chicken stock or water
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon butter
Freshly ground pepper
Minced fennel greens or fresh flat-leaf parsley

Fennel Stock:

Trimmings from 1 or 2 fennel bulbs
1 onion, sliced
Root ends and/or firm dark green tops from 1 or 2 leeks
Trimmings from 1 or 2 handfuls of mushrooms
Trimmings from 1 or more tomatoes, if available
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Trim stalks and greens from fennel bulbs. (Mince greens for a garnish. If there are none, use parsley.) If the outer thick leaves of the bulbs look tough and scarred, take a slice off the base to loosen them and set them aside for another use, such as fennel stock. Halve each bulb lengthwise and cut halves into wedges about 1-1⁄2 inches at the widest part.
Heat olive oil in a wide sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and fennel seeds, crumble in saffron and thyme, and cook until the steam releases color from the saffron, several minutes.
Add fennel wedges and cook until golden, tossing fennel and onions occasionally.
Once they are well colored, add garlic, stir in tomato paste, and then add stock and salt. Scrape pan to release juices, then cover and simmer until fennel is tender, another 15 minutes. Serves 4.Fennel Stock:
Put all ingredients in a pot and cover generously with 4 to 5 cups cold water.
Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes, by which time the vegetables will be spent.
Strain stock, then use immediately or store. It will keep refrigerated for 1 week.Get more recipes for summer produce in Super-Easy Summertime Vegetable Recipes.
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Fennel is a natural with seafood, so you might pair this dish with halibut or seared scallops. It’s also good with rice, and black rice makes for an especially dramatic—and delicious—pairing. Be sure to leave the core in the fennel bulb. It’s what holds the wedges together.