12 Fennel Recipes That'll Have You Wishing You Started Eating It Sooner (2024)

FAQs

Can you prepare fennel in advance? ›

Fennel bulbs can be stored in a sealed bag in the fridge for about a week. Before storing, remove the stalks and fronds. Sliced fennel will last in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

When it comes to flavour matches, with fennel you're spoilt for choice. Thanks to its subtle aniseed taste, it's so good with seafood – whether that's stuffed into whole fish, shaved into an accompanying side salad, or tossed through a pasta dish. But it's also delicious with chicken or pork, particularly sausages.

It helps in regulating the flow of the blood, thus reducing the pain caused by cramps. Soak fennel seeds in water overnight and have them first thing in the morning. It may not provide immediate relief, but if you consume it regularly, you'll definitely see the results.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fennel might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, do not use fennel.

Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.

The bottom line

Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects. To reap the benefits of fennel and its seeds, try incorporating raw fennel bulb into your salads or using the seeds to flavor soups, broths, baked goods, and fish dishes.

Every part of it is edible, from the bulb to the flowers, and it can be eaten raw or cooked. Though the stalks and leaves are edible, fennel recipes most often call for the bulb. When raw, it has a crisp texture similar to celery and a fresh licorice flavor.

Excess consumption of fennel may worsen kidney disorders, slow down the clotting process, disrupt hormone-sensitive conditions, and can cause chronic skin allergies.

Can fennel seeds cause constipation? Fennel seeds are unlikely to cause constipation. In fact, they are often used to relieve digestive issues, including constipation, as they can help promote bowel movement and ease digestion.

How to prepare fennel for a meal? ›

Slice off the shoots and root and peel off the tougher outer layer (if the bulb is particularly young and tender you can leave this layer on). To cook it whole, cut out the tough central core from the bottom, leaving a cone-shaped cavity, or slice if you prefer.

For women with painful menstrual cramps, fennel may provide relief. Studies show that the nitrites in fennel improve blood flow, which can help the uterus more efficiently expel the uterine lining and shorten the length of menstruation.

It can help you sleep

Since fennel can relax your muscles — including your digestive muscles — you may feel more ready for bed after drinking it. Ancient remedies called for the use of fennel to treat insomnia.

Drinking fennel water may help to diminish bloating and gas, a common symptom of constipation and indigestion. Additionally, it can facilitate better digestion, allowing the body to absorb nutrients better and burn fat.

Freshly cut fennel should be wrapped in damp kitchen paper and stored in the fridge. It will last for up to three days. Fennel tends to discolour as soon as it's cut, so dress raw fennel for salads straight away, or toss in a little lemon juice to prevent it browning.

Refrigerate fennel wrapped in a kitchen towel or paper towels or in a bag for up to 10 days. (If the stalks and fronds are attached, remove them and store separately.) To avoid molding, don't wash fennel until you are ready to use it.

Store fresh fennel bulbs in the fridge to keep them fresh for seven to ten days. Cut the fennel stalks off the bulb and store them in a plastic bag or an airtight container. Store stalks and fronds in water. Store cut fennel stalks in a jar of water on the kitchen counter or in the fridge for a couple of days.

Place in the refrigerator and you're good to go for 7–10 days! If you're trying to save space in the fridge and want to trim your fennel, here's how to store cut fennel. Store cut fennel by removing and discarding the stalks.