Braised Fennel

Name: Braised Fennel
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 large or 4 small fennel bulbs; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick); 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock; 1/4 cup fresh orange juice; Finely grated zest of 1 orange

Fennel Christmas Thanksgiving French Side Dish Easy

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4 servings Easy

Total: 35 mins Active: 20 mins

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Ingredients (6)

2 large or 4 small fennel bulbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
Finely grated zest of 1 orange

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Nutritional Information

Calories162
Fat12.12g
Saturated fat7.48g
Trans fat0.47g
Carbs12.93g
Fiber3.54g
Sugar8.3g
Protein2.38g
Cholesterol31.43mg
Sodium419.05mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

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Braising transforms stalk vegetables like fennel and celery into luscious, meltingly tender side dishes. Here, brown butter and a bit of orange juice and zest add a deeply earthy flavor and bright acidity. For more, check out our Shaved Fennel and Pistachio Salad, Braised Pork Chops and Fennel, and Herbed Beets with Fennel.

And see our Ultimate Guide to Fennel for info on its health benefits and history.

by Kim Laidlaw

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Instructions

1Trim the fennel bulbs, reserving some of the fronds as garnish. Cut the fennel bulbs lengthwise into thick wedges. Sprinkle the fennel wedges with salt.
2In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Let the butter cook for a minute or so until it starts to brown. Place the fennel cut-side-down in the pan in a single layer. Let cook, without moving, until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn and brown the other side, about 3 minutes.
3Add the stock and orange juice to the pan, and sprinkle the fennel wedges with orange zest. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the fennel is tender, about 5 minutes. Serve, garnished with a sprinkling of the reserved fronds.