Best Minestrone With Fennel And Ham Recipes

CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Sauté the vegetables: Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart thick-bottomed pot on medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more. Add the bay leaf, thyme, fennel seeds. Add the potato, cabbage, zucchini, and tomatoes. Add the chicken stock.
• Simmer the soup: Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and cooked through.
• Finish the soup: Add the beans and parsley to the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Serve with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

FENNEL & PANCETTA MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Dry-fry the lardons for 7-10 mins or until they begin to release their oils. Add the spring onions and cook gently for 5 mins or until softened, then add the garlic and fennel seeds, and cook for a few mins more. Add the fennel, cook for a few mins, then pour in the stock and 500ml water.
• Simmer for 5 mins, then drop in the pasta and bring to the boil. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, then tip in the peas, cook for 2 mins more and season to taste. Divide between two bowls and top each with a dollop of pesto and some fennel fronds. Serve with crusty bread.

FENNEL BAKED WITH HAM AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Blanch the fennel blubs and drain them. Pour the oil into a baking dish that can be used both on top of the stove and in the oven. Add garlic, fennel and ham, cook over a medium heat until they just begin to turn golden.
• Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat five minutes.
• Sprinkle on the bread crumbs and cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is browned and bubbling.