Spring Asparagus & Fennel Sauté + 31 More Asparagus Recipes

Nothing says SPRING like ASPARAGUS!  These beautiful green spears are abundant at all the farmers markets around here ... my family can't get enough.  In my home, we devour asparagus about once a week.  Get them while you can ... sadly this delicious vegetable is only around for a short time {this is a true ONE SEASON only vegetable}.   

Asparagus Tips + More:

• Aspargus is known to be excellent for supporting the kidneys + helps support digestion.
• It's a great source of folate + vitamins A, B6, C, E and K.
• It has antioxidants + some say is cancer fighting. 
• Asparagus breaks down starches + sugars quick - so make sure to eat it within 3 days of purchasing. Since it does not have a long shelf life, it is important to store bottoms sitting in water {like in a mason jar} or wrapped with a damp, clean kitchen towel to help keep it fresh. 

On to the recipe{s} ...

SPRING ASPARAGUS & FENNEL SAUTE

This side dish screams SPRING ... fresh + delicious, it won't disappoint.  

Equipment: Cutting Board, Knife, Microplane Zester or Standing Grater with Zester, Large Saucepan

{Affiliate links included help support this blog.} 

• 1 bunch asparagus, remove woody ends + cut into 2" pieces
• 1 fennel bulb + stalks and fronds, sliced 
• 1 medium-size Spring onion or red onion, sliced 
• 2-3 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
• 1-2 tablespoons pasture butter, ghee or coconut oil {See Resources}
• 1/4+ teaspoon Celtic sea salt {See Resources} 
• 1 lemon, zest and juice 

1. Wash and prep produce. Remove woody ends of asparagus - cut into 2" pieces. Remove tough core from bottom of fennel bulb - slice bulb, stalks and fronds.  Remove outer skin from onion - slice.  Remove outer skin from garlic cloves - grate or finely mince.  Zest lemon and cut in half - set aside. 

2. In a large saucepan, melt butter or fat of choice over medium-high heat.  Add sliced onion and garlic - cook for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally. 

3. Add asparagus, fennel and sea salt - cook for about 3-5 minutes stirring occasionally {you don't want to overcook the asparagus, this dish is meant to taste fresh and vibrant}. 

4. At the end of the cooking time, add the lemon zest and lemon juice.  Stir and remove from heat.  Taste for desired saltiness, add more sea salt if needed.  

5. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for later.    

Yield: About 4 servings.

Serving Suggestions: Delicious as is or serve mixed into your favorite pasta dish or on the side of meat/fish.  It pairs well with mashed potatoes and Celery Root Mash.  

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.


31 MORE ASPARAGUS RECIPES TO ENJOY:  

ASPARAGUS SALADS:

Mushroom, Asparagus & Egg Salad by Happy Mothering 

Asparagus Apple Salad w/ Fennel & Dill by Kitchen Stewardship 

Raw Asparagus and Mushroom Salad by Gourmande in the Kitchen 

Spring Salad w/ Shaved Asparagus & Lemon-Parsley Dressing by The Roasted Root

ASPARAGUS SOUPS:

Cream of Asparagus Soup by Fresh Bites Daily

Blended Asparagus Soup {Kid-Friendly} by Kitchen Stewardship

Creamy Leek Soup w/ Ham, Mushrooms & Asparagus by Divine Health From the Inside Out

Cream of Asparagus, Celery & Zucchini Soup by Delicious Obsessions

Asparagus Soup by Nourished Kitchen 

ASPARAGUS SIDES:

Very Simple Asparagus and Peppers by Scratch Mommy 

Roasted Asparagus by Simple Foody

Corn Off the Cobb w/ Red Pepper and Asparagus by The Organic Kitchen 

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus by Happy Mothering

Asparagus and Greens by Healthy Homemakers 

Roasted Asparagus w/ Lemon by Natural Living Mamma

Lemon & Garlic Asparagus by One Beet

Simple Roasted Asparagus by Fresh Bites Daily 

Spring in a Bowl: A Veggie Stir Fry Using the Freshest Tastes of Spring by Raising Generation Nourished

Quick Pickled Asparagus by Gourmande in the Kitchen 

Simple Garlic Asparagus Spears by Delicious Obsessions

Roasted Asparagus w/ Creamy Mustard Sauce by Fresh Bites Daily 

Cucumber Noodles w/ Asparagus + Ginger Scallion Sesame Sauce by Gourmande in the Kitchen

ASPARAGUS MAIN DISHES:

Mushroom Pesto & Asparagus Flank Steak Roll by Cavegirl Cuisine 

Crab & Asparagus Mini Quiches by Divine Health From the Inside Out

Lemony Asparagus Risotto by Oh My Veggies

Easy Gluten Free Quiche w/ Asparagus, Pancetta and Goat Cheese by Real Food Whole Heath

Spinach and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken w/ Roasted Asparagus by The Organic Kitchen

COOKING ASPARAGUS + MORE:

Preserving Asparagus 3 Ways - Freezing, Drying & Lacto-Fermenting by Common Sense Homesteading 

8 Tips for Buying & Handling Fresh Asparagus by Fresh Bites Daily 

Roasted Asparagus & Tips for Growing It by Learning and Yearning 

How to Steam Asparagus from Real Food RN 

Amazon links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

This post is shared at Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade, Whole Food Fridays @ Allergy Free Alaska, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Allergy Free Wednesday @ The Tasty Alternative + Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop. 

Onion and Fennel Braised Chicken with Brown Butter and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Onion and Fennel Braised Chicken with Brown Butter and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Slow cooked Sundays are pretty common around here, especially on days like today when a winter storm rages outside. There's nothing better than weathering out the storm on a relaxed afternoon while supper slowly cooks away in the oven, practically unattended. A pot roast or pulled pork are two of our family favorites but slow braised chicken is also a delicious choice.

Sweet onions are best for this dish because the higher natural sugar content lets them slowly soften and caramelize along with the aromatic anise-like flavor of the fennel. Chicken legs and thighs actually work best in this very simple recipe because they don't dry out in the long cooking time but if you are going to use chicken breasts, like in the photo, I recommend starting to braise the onions and fennel first for at least an hour before adding the browned bone-in chicken breasts for the last hour or so.

We often roast garlic to add to our mashed potatoes and on this occasion we also browned the butter that we added to them for an outstandingly delicious version of that side dish classic. Topped with the braised onions and fennel and the tender chicken, it really hits the spot for a cold weather comfort food meal.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Serves 4 - 6

• 2 - 3 pounds of chicken thighs, well trimmed of excess fat and skin
• salt and pepper to season the chicken
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken thighs on both sides. Remove the chicken and set aside.

To the skillet add:

• 3 cloves roughly chopped garlic
• 2 large white sweet onions, thinly sliced (Vidalia onions are a good choice)
• 1/2 large fennel head, thinly sliced

Cook the onions, fennel and garlic for a few minutes until they begin to soften, then transfer them to a  covered dutch oven or medium sized roasting pan. To the pan add:

• 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken stock)
• 4 springs fresh thyme (or 1 1/2 tbsp dry thyme)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

Toss together well, cover and cook in the oven for about 3 hours or until the onions and fennel have broken down completely and start to turn brown and the chicken thighs are fall apart tender. Serve the chicken with the braised onion and fennel over Brown Butter and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Brown Butter and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Roast the garlic for this recipe in the last hour that the chicken is in the oven.

• 1/2 head garlic

Cut the half head of unpeeled garlic in half and place on a square of aluminum foil, cut side up. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle on a little olive oil. Bring all sides of the aluminum foil to the center and pinch together to seal. Place in the oven with the chicken for 45-60 minutes until fully softened and cooked.

• 2 1/2 pounds of potatoes

Peel the potatoes and boil slowly in salted water until fully cooked.

To a small saucepan add:

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup butter (only real butter works here)

Melt over medium heat and continue to cook until all the water steams off the butter and the leftover milk solids in the butter start to go brown. At this point the butter begins to smell like caramel.

Mash the potatoes together until smooth with the roasted garlic and brown butter as well as a pinch of pepper to season. You can also add a little cream if you like for extra richness.

Roasted Tomato Fennel Lobster Bisque

The first lobster bisque I ever tasted was served at Chateau Montebello Hotel in Montebello, Quebec many years ago. I was not a big fan of seafood at the time but was very impressed by the rich soup with the lightly herbed flavor of tarragon. I credit that bisque with making me more open to seafood flavors which I have grown more and more to appreciate over the years.

As an homage to that beautiful bisque, I have created this lobster soup version which we thoroughly enjoyed a couple of weeks ago. Small cups of this soup make a wonderful first course at any dinner party or celebratory meal. It could also be the star of the show if served as the main course at a special lunch.

3 lbs shelled lobster, steamed

Don't overcook the lobster, a slight under cooking is best at this point as it will be added back tot he bisque later. Save 2 cups of the steaming liquid.

Shell the lobster over a large bowl to catch any liquid. Separate the meat from the body and claws and chop it into a 1/2 inch dice to add back to the bisque later. Whole shelled claws on top of the soup make a beautiful, impressive presentation.

Simmer the shells and any liquid in the bowl along with the 2 cups of  the steaming liquid and:

6 cups water

1 small chopped onion

3 cloves roughly chopped garlic

3 tbsp chopped tarragon or dill
2 stalks celery

1 carrot

6 peppercorns

Simmer very gently together for about 30-45 minutes. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth to create a clear broth.

While the stock simmers, get started on the roasted tomatoes and fennel.

8 large ripe tomatoes diced
1 large fennel bulb diced
1 medium red onion diced
2 cloves chopped garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to season

Toss all ingredients together in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F. Cook for about 60-70 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the fennel pieces are very soft and most of the liquid has cooked off and the tomato and fennel reach a good chunky consistency. Puree this mixture well in a blender or food processor and pour into a soup pot. Add.

6 cups seafood stock stock (salt free or low sodium are best)

2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon (dill is good too)

Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the soup reaches your desired consistency. Taste and do a final seasoning of salt and pepper if necessary. Add the chopped lobster meat to the soup and simmer for just a couple of minutes before doing a final seasoning of salt and pepper, stirring in a squeeze of lemon and serving with a drizzle of heavy cream.

Roasted Tomato Fennel Soup

This is such a simple soup but oh so flavorful with oven roasted tomato and fennel with a little earthy thyme and fragrant smoked paprika and a touch of spice. This would make an ideal starter course or a fantastic lunch. We freeze it in individual portions as a terrific alternative to having to use a can opener for a quick meal any time.

Serves 6
8 large ripe tomatoes diced
1 large fennel bulb diced
1 medium red onion diced
4 cloves chopped garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp crushed chillies (optional)

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to season


Toss all ingredients together in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F. Cook for about 60-70 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the fennel pieces are very soft and most of the liquid has cooked off and the tomato and fennel reach a good chunky consistency. Puree this mixture well in a blender or food processor and pour into a soup pot. Add:

8 cups vegetable stock (salt free or low sodium are best)

2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tbsp smoked paprika

 

Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the soup reaches your desired consistency. Taste and do a final seasoning of salt and pepper if necessary. Serve.

Seafood Lasagna with Roasted Fennel Tomato Sauce

 

I've tried quite a few seafood lasagnas in restaurants over the years but it is difficult to find one where the seafood is not overcooked because of the cooking method. Some others have had quite heavy sauces with far too much garlic or herbs which overpower the delicate taste of the seafood. When adding herbs, I usually do it at the last minute so as not to over-saturate the flavor of the sauce. Truthfully, the mellow anise-like flavor of the roasted fennel is enough in this sauce and you can leave out the herbs if you like.

In this recipe the sweet, rich flavor and perfectly cooked texture of the seafood is what is important. Get all the individual elements right and this is simply the perfect seafood lasagna.

 

Serves 4-6

Roasted Fennel Tomato Sauce

1 to 2 pounds ripe Roma tomatoes diced
1/2 large fennel bulb diced
1/2 medium red onion diced
2 cloves chopped garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp crushed chillies (optional)
Salt and pepper to season

Toss all ingredients together in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F. Cook for about 50 -60 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the fennel pieces are very soft and most of the liquid has cooked off and the sauce reaches a good chunky consistency. Puree the sauce in a blender or food processor and transfer to a saucepan.

Add:

2 1/2 cups plain tomato sauce

2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon or dill (optional)

Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Pasta

4- 6 sheets fresh lasagna pasta, cooked

You can use store bought fresh pasta or make your own fresh pasta.
Find a good basic fresh pasta recipe (along with a great recipe for Parmesan Chicken Lasagna) here:
http://www.rockrecipes.blogspot.com/2007/11/parmesan-chicken-lasagne.html

Cut the cooked pasta into about 3x4 inch rectangles. You will need 4 rectangles per serving.

Seafood

Use whatever combination of seafood that you like or is in season. Practically any seafood works in this recipe. In this version, to make about 6 servings I've used:

1 pound cooked lobster, sliced or chunked

1 pound large scallops
1 pound shelled, de-veined  shrimp

I steamed a 1 1/2 to 2 pound lobster for about 15 minutes, let it cool slightly, then removed the meat carefully from the shell and cut it into slices or chunks.

The scallops are lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and pan seared in a hot cast iron pan for just a couple of minutes per side.

I sauteed the shrimp quickly  for only a few minutes with a half clove of minced garlic and a couple of tablespoons of  salted butter.

To construct the lasagna, spoon some sauce onto the individual serving plates and lay down the first layer of pasta. Add a layer of scallops, cover with sauce and add another layer of pasta. Next add a layer of shrimp, more sauce and another layer of pasta. Finally add a layer of pasta, more sauce and the final layer of pasta.

Spoon a little more sauce over the lasagna and top with a 1/4 inch thick slice or two of fresh mozzarella. Melt cheese under the broiler for just a minute or so and serve.

Scallop Bacon and Ricotta Cannelloni with Roasted Tomato Fennel Sauce

This definitely is my very favorite pasta dish! It combines so many of my favorite flavours and ingredients. Scallops are my favorite seafood and this roasted fennel and tomato sauce is a perfect accompaniment to the scallop, ricotta and bacon flavours. This is a great recipe for any special occasion dinner. I sometimes prepare the filling and sauce the day before and can then assemble the cannelloni quite quickly for a workday dinner. Absolutely delicious!

Serves 4
8 large ripe tomatoes diced
1 large fennel bulb diced
4 cloves chopped garlic
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
Salt and pepper to season
2 tbsp basil

Toss all ingredients together in a shallow baking dish and bake at 375 degrees F until the fennel pieces are very soft and most of the liquid has cooked off. Puree in a food processor or blender and set the sauce aside.

1 package fresh lasagna pasta sheets, cut in half to make 12 cannelloni rollers

Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet
Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for one minute
Toss in
1 to 1 ½ pound small scallops

Sauté the scallops in the garlic butter over high heat for only a couple of minutes and remove from the heat and let cool to almost room temperature.

Mix together:

1 sixteen ounce tub ricotta cheese
6 slices bacon, cut in small pieces and cooked crisp
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Add the sautéed scallops and stir well. Spoon a couple of heaping tablespoons of the filling onto each half sheet of pasta roll into a cylinder.

Spoon about 1/3 of the sauce into the bottom of a baking dish and lay the cannelloni in a single layer on top of the sauce. Cover with the remaining sauce and bake for about 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees F. Serve with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Tomato Fennel Braised Chicken Thighs

Tomato Fennel Braised Chicken Thighs

One of my very favorite flavor combinations is tomato and fennel. I love the flavor boost that fennel gives to a great tomato sauce and when you slowly braise chicken thighs in that sauce to tender deliciousness, it just gets even better.  We like to serve this over pasta or rice for one delicious slow cooked comfort food dinner.

• 2-3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Salt and pepper to season chicken
• Flour for dredging chicken
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 6 large ripe tomatoes, diced
• ½ large bulb fennel (or one small bulb ), diced
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large red onion diced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and then dredge them in plain flour. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides. Deglaze the pan with the chicken stock, making sure to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

In a covered roasting pan toss together the remaining ingredients. Add the browned chicken thighs on top of the vegetables and pour the chicken stock over everything. Cover and roast at 300 degrees F for about 90 minutes or until most of the liquid has cooked off and the chicken is tender and falling apart.

To serve, you can either spoon the vegetables over rice or pasta or, if you prefer, process them slightly in a foods processor to make a sauce.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple BBQ Sauce and Fennel Apple Coleslaw

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple BBQ Sauce

Good pulled pork is a Southern U.S. staple and can be found on many a restaurant menu there. Here is a great recipe to make your own version of this southern classic. I serve the pulled pork with braised fennel and rice for an excellent meal. More often, as shown in the photo below, I use it for fantastic pulled pork sandwiches on hamburger style rolls or as pictured here, some excellent toasted Belgian Loaf from Georgestown Bakery in my neighbourhood. I do insist on adding the BBQ Sauce to the sandwich along with my favorite Apple Fennel Coleslaw.

Begin by dry rubbing a 5 to 6 pound pork shoulder roast with a mixture of

• ½ tsp powdered ginger
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dry thyme
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp dry oregano
• 1 ½ tbsp kosher salt

Rub all over the surface of the roast, cover and let sit in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Heat 4 tbsp oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat and brown the roast on all sides. Transfer the roast to a covered roasting pan. To the roasting pan, along with the roast, add:

• 1 medium sized onion chopped
• 4 medium sized firm apples peeled and chunked

Meanwhile mix together in a medium size bowl:

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 tsp powdered ginger
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder

Pour all over the roast, apples and onions in the roasting pan. Cover with aluminum foil then the lid of the roasting pan. Roast in a 300 degree oven for several hours ( approximately 4-5) until the meat is very tender and falling off the bone.

Remove the braising liquid to a saucepan, skim all the excess fat and reduce the liquid until it slightly thickens. At this point you can puree the sauce with an immersion blender or in a food processor to smooth it out and incorporate the cooked onions and apples. Serve over the pulled pork.

The recipe for the Apple Fennel Coleslaw can be found by clicking here.

Apple BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Apple Fennel Coleslaw

Apple Fennel Coleslaw pictured on an Apple BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

A terrific BBQ side dish or to top a green salad. Also very delicious on our Apple Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

• 1 large head fennel
• 2 large firm apples
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Cut fennel and apples into very thin slices and julienne cut. Add the chopped chives

For the Apple Cider Mayo:

• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ to ¾ cup canola oil

In a blender mix together the egg yolks, salt, pepper and sugar. Slowly add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. With the blender on, begin to add the oil in a slow continuous stream, alternately adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, finishing with the oil. Add enough oil to get the mayonnaise to the desired thick consistency.

Toss the fennel and apple juliennes with the mayo and serve. (Note: Adjust the amount of mayo in the coleslaw to your own taste. You may not need to use all that you make.)

Penne with Chicken and Roasted Fennel Marinara Sauce

Penne with Chicken and Roasted Fennel Marinara Sauce

I make large batches of this sauce and freeze it in pint sized containers for quick and easy workday dinners. Add some sausage or boneless chicken breasts and dinner is ready in about 20 minutes.

For the sauce:

1/2 head fennel sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to season

In a large baking pan toss the fennel slices with the olive oil, salt and pepper and bake at 350 degrees F until the fennel is fork tender. Remove from oven and puree in a food processor or food mill. (If fresh fennel is not available try substituting 2 tsp crushed fennel seeds in the sauce.)

In a large saucepan sauté for 1 minute
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
1 small red onion finely diced

Add:
Roasted fennel puree
2 large cans (32 oz can) crushed roma tomatoes
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp basil
1 whole bay leaf
1 large carrot finely grated
½ cup finely diced celery
2 tbsp brown sugar
Salt and pepper to season

Slowly simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf .

Meanwhile cut
4 boneless skinless chicken breast into large cubes

Saute the chicken in

3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic

Until the chicken is cooked and slightly browned. Toss in

1/2 chopped red pepper

Add the chicken to the sauce in the last 5 minutes or so of the simmering time. Serve over freshly cooked penne pasta with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serves 6.

Apple Braised Fennel

Fennel is one of my favorite vegetables. I like it roasted, stir fried or even in fennel slaw. One of my favorite ways to make it is this braised version that I often serve as a side dish with almost any meal. It goes well with many chicken and pork dishes and I love it on grilled steak as shown.

Pictured on Prime Rib Grilled Steak

1 large fennel head

2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to season
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup apple juice
1 tsp fennel seed

Begin by cutting the fennel in wedges leaving the root end intact without trimming. This will help the wedges stay together while cooking.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat and brown the fennel pieces all over. Season with salt and pepper. In the last minute or two of browning the fennel pieces, throw in the fennel seed and garlic. When brown remove the fennel pieces to a small baking dish. Add the apple juice and chicken stock to the pan that the fennel was browned in to deglaze the pan. Pour over the fennel and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Roast at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook until the fennel pieces are fork tender. You can make a sauce for the fennel by reducing any leftover braising liquid and add in a couple of tablespoons of butter to finish the sauce.