Baked fennel with Parmesan

This is a simple, authentic way of serving fennel with an Italian flavour.  It can be served as a side dish for game poultry or fish or, on its own, as a starter with bread.

Preparation Time: 10 Mins

Cooking Time: 45 Mins

Total Time: 55 Mins

Ingredients

For 2 servings…

2 bulbs            Fennel  - quartered from top to bottom    

                     Salt          

                     Pepper      

20 gms            Butter       

30 gms            Parmesan cheese  - grated      

Method

Heat an oven to 200°C.

Simmer the fennel in salted water until just tender.  Drain thoroughly

Butter a shallow, ovenproof dish that is large enough to take the fennel in a single, densely packed layer.  Pack in the fennel and season with pepper.  Dot with butter and scatter evenly with Parmesan.

Bake, in the oven for 20—30 minutes, until the cheese is browned and the butter is sizzling.

Serve hot or warm.

Wine recommendations

A white or a light red wine.

Conventional

     Beaujolais Villages

     Chardonnay

Interesting

     Menetou-Salon

     Pinot Gris

     Viognier