Fennel Prawn Conchiglie Recipes

SPANISH-STYLE PRAWNS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Peel and finely slice the garlic, then trim and slice the fennel. Pick and roughly chop the parsley leaves, and roughly chop the stalks.
• Heat a good lug of oil in a saucepan and gently fry the garlic till golden.
• Add the fennel and parsley stalks, then reduce the heat to low and sauté for 10 minutes, or until softened but not coloured.
• Halve half the tomatoes, leaving the rest whole, then add to the pan with the wine. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened. If it's too thick, add a splash of water.
• Peel the prawns, leaving the tails on, then butterfly them by cutting along the back of each one and opening them out like a book.
• Add to the pan and cook for 4 minutes, or until they're cooked and pink.
• Stir through parsley leaves and season. Serve with lemon wedges and nice bread.

FENNEL & GARLIC SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the fennel and saute for 5 minutes, until tender but not browned. Turn the heat to medium-low, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook at a very low sizzle for 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic just begins to color.
• Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, add them to the pan, and toss together with the fennel and olive oil. Spread the shrimp in one layer and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes on one side. Turn the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes on the other side, until they¿re pink and just cooked through.
• Off the heat, sprinkle with the parsley, 1 tablespoon of chopped fennel fronds, the Pernod (if using), the fleur de sel, and black pepper and serve it with bread to soak up all the pan juices.

AVOCADO, PRAWN & FENNEL COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Make the dressing by mixing the oil and citrus juices together in a small bowl with some salt and pepper, then set aside.
• In a bowl, toss all the other ingredients, except the rocket, together with the orange segments and half of the dressing. Scatter the rocket leaves into 4 Martini glasses or small bowls, pile the salad into the centre, then drizzle with the remaining dressing just before serving.

PRAWN & FENNEL COCKTAIL

Steps:

• To make the rouille, use a pestle and mortar to mash chilli and garlic to a smooth paste. Bring the saffron to a simmer with 4 tbsp of water. Stir saffron water, garlic and chilli into the mayonnaise and put in the fridge, until ready to use.
• Cut the fennel into quarters, remove the cores and use a Japanese mandolin or sharp knife to slice as thinly as possible. Bring a pan of water to the boil and blanch the fennel for 1 min until just wilted. Drain and tip into iced water. Drain again and use a cloth to wring out all the excess water, then leave in the fridge.
• To assemble the dish, season the fennel with the sugar, salt, a decent grinding of pepper and the lemon juice. Cut most of the prawn tails in half, saving a whole one for each serving. Mix the chopped prawns into the fennel, then add the chopped chervil and tarragon and enough rouille to bind everything together (about 6-7 tbsp). Half-fill 6-8 martini glasses loosely with the fennel mix. Place the mixed leaves on top, then a whole prawn tail, then drizzle with the fennel juices that will have collected at the bottom of the bowl. Serve straight away with a wedge of lemon.

QUICK PRAWN, FENNEL & TOMATO RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and fennel and cook for 5 mins, stirring every so often. Add the tomatoes and seasoning, then bring to the boil. Cover and cook on a low heat for 10 mins until the fennel is tender, then stir in the prawns and warm through. Serve scattered with olives and the reserved fennel tops, roughly chopped.

PRAWN & FENNEL BISQUE

Steps:

• Shell the prawns, then fry the shells in the oil in a large pan for about 5 mins. Add the onion, fennel and carrots and cook for about 10 mins until the veg start to soften. Pour in the wine and brandy, bubble hard for about 1 min to drive off the alcohol, then add the tomatoes, stock and paprika. Cover and simmer for 30 mins. Meanwhile, chop the prawns.
• Blitz the soup as finely as you can with a stick blender or food processor, then press through a sieve into a bowl. Spend a bit of time really working the mixture through the sieve as this will give the soup its velvety texture.
• Tip back into a clean pan, add the prawns and cook for 10 mins, then blitz again until smooth. You can make and chill this a day ahead or freeze it for 1 month. Thaw ovenight in the fridge. To serve, gently reheat in a pan with the cream. If garnishing, cook the 8 prawns in a little butter. Spoon into small bowls and top with the prawns and snipped fennel fronds.