In Australia, fennel reaches its peak in June and July, the cooler winter months. It’s a flowering plant species in the carrot family, and while we can eat the fronds and seeds, the fennel bulb is the most often used in modern Australian and Italian cooking.
Fennel makes a brilliant accompaniment to many warm or cool dishes, as it can be enjoyed cooked or raw. It’s a wonderful addition to both autumn salads as well as hearty soups, stews and savoury breakfasts such as baked eggs. It also pairs beautifully with certain cuts of meat such as pork and chicken.
Chicken and fennel tray bake
A flavoursome meal cooked in one pan meaning it’s high on flavour but low on effort (and saves washing up too).
Pea, fennel and spinach lasagne
A fresh twist on the classic Italian dish.
Pork and fennel sausage rolls
Flaky pastry and pork mince with fragrant fennel. Yes please!
Beef and mozzarella meatballs with fennel and silverbeet
Add a fresh twist on the classic pasta and meatballs.
Bacon, cider and fennel mussels
Fresh, quick, flavoursome dinners don’t get much better than these delicious bacon, cider and fennel mussels! Cook up a storm with this mouth-watering recipe tonight!
Baked pasta with ham, blue cheese and fennel
Snuggle up and enjoy a big bowl of this deliciously cheesy and creamy baked pasta with ham, blue cheese and fennel. The ultimate comfort food for the cooler winter nights.
Pork and fennel ragu with kumara and goat’s cheese gnocchi
Warm, hearty and utterly delicious, this flavour packed pork and fennel ragu is cooked to tender perfection and served atop homemade kumara and goat’s cheese gnocchi. It makes the ultimate Winter dinner dish.
Mushroom sliders with pickled fennel and harissa creme fraiche
These vegetarian sliders and packed full of juicy roasted portobello mushrooms, zesty pickled fennel and a creamy harissa sauce. They make the ultimate finger food for entertaining and are easy to prepare.
Orange and fennel salad
Not suitable to freeze. Note
Tomato and fennel soup
Warming and nourishing, this thick, tasty tomato and fennel soup topped with crunchy fresh croutons is lovely at lunchtime, or for a quick boost late in the afternoon.
Creamy chicken, mushroom & fennel pie
These are serious little pies; tender chunks of chicken, earthy mushrooms and fennel swimming in a creamy mustard sauce and topped with golden, flaky pastry.
Grilled eggs with spiced fennel and spinach
The combination of fragrant fennel, nutritious spinach and perfectly cooked baked eggs creates a perfectly flavoursome savoury breakfast dish.
Onion and fennel soup with cheese soufflés
This warming and fragrant French style onion and fennel soup is absolutely amazing topped with melted cheddar cheese souffles. This is gourmet soup at it’s finest.
Herbed salmon with capers and fennel remoulade
This stunning salmon dish is perfect for a special occasion such as Christmas.
Lamb shank, fennel and vegetable soup
To freeze. Complete the recipe to end of step 2. Pack into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm (1 inch) space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) until heated through Note
Italian-style turkey roll with pork and fennel sausage stuffing
It’s important not to overcrowd the turkey, fennel and lemon in the baking dish so they cook evenly and caramelise.
Grilled sardines with fennel and preserved lemon
Butterflied sardines are boneless with the two fillets attached. To do this yourself, cut off the head just behind the gills. With a small knife, cut along the belly, from head to tail then open out. Holding the spine at head end, pull it down firmly towards the tail end and snip with scissors to […]
Chicken, fennel and celery pie
For a comforting family meal, try this creamy chicken pie topped with crispy sour cream pastry.
Roast salmon with fennel and apple salad
If you don’t have a large enough oven tray to fit the salmon, ask the fishmonger to remove the head of the salmon for you. Salmon can also be cooked on a covered barbecue. Note
Roasted baby parsnips, fennel and potatoes
An exquisite side dish that goes perfectly with grilled haloumi and crusty bread.
Pork, fennel and olive ragout
Deliciously tender pork, fennel and olive ragout that can be done in a pressure cooker in no time.