Pasta With Braised Fennel Chard And Balsamic Vinegar Recipes

PASTA WITH BRAISED FENNEL, CHARD, AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil over medium heat in large skillet.
• Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt and sauté (uncovered) over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in sliced fennel bulb and garlic and sauté, stirring frequently, until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Add 3/4 cup water and bring to simmer.
• Partially cover and simmer over medium-low heat until fennel is tender and liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in vinegar, partially cover, and simmer to blend flavors, about 1 minute longer.
• Add crushed red pepper flakes and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.
• Add 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and pasta; return to boil.
• After 3 minutes, add chard and return to rapid boil; continue to cook, covered, until pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes.
• Drain pasta and greens, reserving 1/3 cup pasta cooking water.
• Toss pasta and greens with fennel mixture, cheese, and two tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, adding reserved pasta water as needed if mixture is dry.
• Transfer portions to warm pasta bowls.
• Garnish with reserved minced fennel fronds.
• Serve immediately with more cheese passed separately.

BRAISED FENNEL AND ONION PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the fennel trim the feathery leaves and the ouside hollow stalks (chop the fronds for garnish or dry for seasoning).
• You are now left with the fennel bulb.
• Next trim off the hard bottom and cut a thin slice off one side of the fennel.
• Lay it on the flat side and cut into thin slices.
• Pour the oil in a skillet that has a lid.
• Over medium heat saute the onion and cook until translucent about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and fennel cook stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
• Add liquid, (not the vinegar) salt& pepper, cover and cook over medium low heat until the fennel is just tender.
• About 10 minutes.
• If the mixture is quite wet cook longer with the lid removed.
• Stir in the herb& vinegar and adjust seasoning.
• Serve over pasta or as a side vegetable dish.