Fenneled Olives Recipes

WARM MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Drain the green and black olives from the brine or oil that they're packed in and place them in a medium bowl. Add the orange zest, garlic, fennel seeds, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture, add the thyme sprigs and toss to combine.
• Transfer the mixture, including the olive oil, to a medium (10-inch) sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to sizzle. Lower the heat and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the olives and garlic are heated through and fragrant. Serve warm right from the pan or transfer to a serving dish. Offer a small dish for the pits.

ROASTED FENNEL WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly oil the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange the fennel in the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then with the Parmesan. Drizzle with the oil. Bake until the fennel is fork-tender and the top is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Chop enough fennel fronds to equal 2 teaspoons, then sprinkle over the roasted fennel and serve.

ROASTED FENNEL WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the stems of the fennel and slice the bulb in half lengthwise. With the cut side down, slice the bulb vertically into 1/2-inch-thick slices, cutting right through the core. Spread the fennel slices on a baking sheet, coat with olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss with your hands.
• Roast the fennel slices for about 1 hour, turning them once after 30 minutes, until the edges are crisp and brown. Remove from the oven and cover with Parmesan shavings. Taste for salt and pepper and serve.

RISOTTO WITH FENNEL AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat the stock to a simmer.
• Coarsely chop the onion in a food processor by pulsing. Heat the oil in a deep pot, and saute the onion.
• Trim, wash and coarsely chop the fennel in a food processor; add to the onion, and continue cooking until both begin to soften.
• Stir in the rice. Add the wine, and cook 1 minute over high heat, stirring.
• Pit the olives, chop, and add to the rice. Then add the fennel seed.
• Add 1 cup of the chicken stock to the rice; cook over medium heat, stirring often. When most of the liquid is absorbed, add another cup of stock; repeat until the rice is tender.
• Grate the cheese.
• When the rice is cooked and moist, season with pepper and stir in the cheese.

FENNEL AND OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Cut stalks from fennel bulbs, then chop enough fronds to measure 1/4 cup. Discard remaining fronds and stalks. Quarter bulbs, then finely chop in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Let stand 1 hour for flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature.

ROASTED FENNEL WITH OLIVES AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Combine fennel, olive oil, garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper in large bowl; toss to coat. Spread fennel out on baking sheet; sprinkle with coarse kosher salt and pepper. Roast fennel 15 minutes. Using tongs, turn wedges over. Continue to roast until tender, turning 1 more time, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle olives over fennel. Roast until fennel begins to brown at edges, about 8 minutes longer. Season fennel with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

FENNEL COMPOTE WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES AND FISH (OR NOT)

Steps:

• Put the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fennel and some salt and pepper, and without browning (adjust the heat as necessary), cook it down, stirring occasionally, until it's quite soft, about 20 minutes. Add the thyme and garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring.
• Add the tomatoes, olives and capers, raise the heat a bit, and cook until the mixture is saucy, about 15 minutes. Serve as a side dish or top with a portion of cooked fish. Garnish with parsley.