Savory Blue Cheese Baked Fennel Delight
Transform humble fennel into a gourmet treat with our Savory Blue Cheese Baked Fennel Delight. This dish elevates roasted fennel, a vegetable often overlooked when raw, into a star attraction on your dinner table. The gentle roasting process enhances the natural sweetness of the fennel, while the mild blue cheese adds a creamy richness that perfectly complements it. Topped with a delightful mixture of seeds, each bite provides not only flavor but also a satisfying crunch. Ideal for impressing guests or simply treating yourself, this dish pairs beautifully with baked potatoes, a refreshing side salad, or crunchy coleslaw. Enjoy the harmony of flavors as they meld together in this easy yet exquisite preparation that celebrates seasonal vegetables with a cheesy twist.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
4
Ingredients
Ingredients
fennel bulbs
2 (trimmed and sliced in half)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for greasing and basting)
mild blue cheese
7 ounces (crumbled (e.g. Cambozola, Grinzola, Dolcelatte, Gorgonzola))
mixed seeds
4 tablespoons (ground (e.g. pumpkin, sesame, sunflower))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Trim the green tops off the fennel bulbs and slice them in half lengthwise.
3
Lightly grease a baking dish with a tablespoon of olive oil and arrange the fennel halves, cut side up, in the dish.
4
Using a pastry brush or your fingers, baste the cut sides of the fennel with the remaining oil to prevent burning during roasting.
5
In a separate bowl, combine the mixed seeds and grind them to a breadcrumb-like texture using a coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, or a sharp knife.
6
Crumble the blue cheese into the mixture with the ground seeds, stirring until it forms a thick paste.
7
Spread a generous quarter of the seed and cheese paste over each fennel half, ensuring they are well-covered.
8
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, or until the fennel is tender and the topping has developed a golden brown crust.
9
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Blue Cheese Baked Fennel Delight?
It is a gourmet dish featuring roasted fennel bulbs topped with a creamy blue cheese and ground seed mixture.
What are the four main ingredients?
The main ingredients are fennel bulbs, olive oil, mild blue cheese, and mixed seeds.
What types of blue cheese are recommended?
Mild blue cheeses such as Cambozola, Grinzola, Dolcelatte, or Gorgonzola are recommended.
What kinds of seeds can be used for the topping?
You can use a mix of pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long should the fennel roast in the oven?
The fennel should be roasted for approximately 30 minutes.
How should the fennel bulbs be prepared?
Trim the green tops off and slice the bulbs in half lengthwise.
Why is olive oil used on the cut sides of the fennel?
Basting the cut sides with oil helps prevent the fennel from burning during the roasting process.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
How should the seeds be ground?
Seeds can be ground to a breadcrumb-like texture using a coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, or a sharp knife.
Can I use Gorgonzola cheese?
Yes, Gorgonzola is one of the suggested mild blue cheeses for this recipe.
What are some recommended side pairings for this dish?
It pairs well with baked potatoes, side salads, or crunchy coleslaw.
How do I know when the fennel is finished cooking?
The dish is ready when the fennel is tender and the topping has developed a golden brown crust.
Are sunflower seeds allowed in the recipe?
Yes, sunflower seeds are included in the suggested mixed seed preparation.
How much blue cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 7 ounces of mild blue cheese.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
You will need 2 tablespoons of olive oil for both greasing and basting.
Should I keep the green tops of the fennel?
No, the instructions specify to trim the green tops off before preparation.
What is the texture of the finished seed and cheese topping?
The topping forms a thick paste that bakes into a satisfyingly crunchy crust.
Can pumpkin seeds be included?
Yes, pumpkin seeds are part of the recommended seed mixture.
Is this an easy recipe for beginners?
Yes, it is described as an easy yet exquisite preparation for seasonal vegetables.
How many fennel bulbs does the recipe call for?
The recipe requires 2 fennel bulbs.
What equipment can I use to grind the seeds?
A coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, or a sharp knife are all suitable for grinding the seeds.
What consistency should the cheese and seed mixture have?
It should be stirred until it forms a thick paste before being spread on the fennel.
How many fennel halves are prepared in this recipe?
By slicing 2 bulbs in half, you will prepare 4 fennel halves.
Is this recipe considered plant-based?
While it is vegetarian and focuses on vegetables, it contains dairy cheese and is not strictly vegan.
Can sesame seeds be used?
Yes, sesame seeds are suggested as part of the seed mixture.
What does roasting do to the flavor of fennel?
Roasting enhances the natural sweetness of the fennel, transforming it from its raw state.
Should the baking dish be greased?
Yes, you should lightly grease the baking dish with one tablespoon of olive oil.
What is the overall flavor profile of this dish?
It offers a harmony of sweet roasted vegetable, creamy rich cheese, and nutty crunch.
Is this dish appropriate for a dinner party?
Yes, it is specifically described as ideal for impressing guests with its gourmet quality.