My uncle Dan and Aunt Susan have one of the most spectacular gardens of all time. It is by far one of my favorite places on Earth. Last weekend I made it up there for a 2020 hello and a stroll through their garden and pastures. We left brimming with garden bounty, including whole giant fennel and kale plant and having a sweet encounter with some baby sheep! eep!
While garnering ideas for all the fennel. I found this gem in the Moosewood Restaurant Favorites beast of a cook book. A gift to our dearest Aunt Pat, in her last summer in Owego, from some of the lovely founder gals of the Moosewood Restaurant, a famous vegetarian spot in Ithaca, NY.
The fennel flavor is so well combined with fresh herbs and orangey broth that even for the most wary of fennel would likely enjoy.
GREEN BEAN, POTATO, and FENNEL RAGOUT
2 leeks ( onions are fine too)
1 medium to large fennel (and fennel frond tops for extra flavor in the broth)
4 cups cubed potatoes
1 pound green beans
several fresh thyme sprigs
2 T olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 orange
2 cups fresh tomatoes or one 15 oz can diced tomatoes
generous pinch of saffron
2 T chopped fresh tarragon or 3 T chopped fresh basil
First, prep the veggies. Chop the white and tender greens parts of the leeks (about 1 1/2 cups) cut the fennel bulb into 1/4 in slices and then cut the slices to about an inch long. (2 cups) cut the potatoes into stew sized chunks. Trim the green beans and cut into 2 in pieces (about 3 1/2 cups).
in stew pot, saute the leeks in the oil for 4-5 minutes. stir in the fennel and potatoes and cook for about 2 more minutes, stirring often. Add the water, sprigs of thyme, salt and peppers and green beans, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the stew simmers, zest and juice the orange. add the tomatoes, orange zest and saffron, bring back to a simmer and cook until the veggies are tender about 10 minutes. Stir in orange juice, fresh tarragon or basil, and black pepper. Before service discard thyme stems.
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