Fennel is an aromatic herb that has many medicinal and culinary uses. The fennel pollen, leaves, seeds, and bulbs of a fennel plant are all used for cooking. The bulb is a root vegetable and is typically eaten raw in salads or braised but can also be cooked in variety of other ways. Today, I decided to explore a sweeter aspect of the fennel bulb and prepared a candied fennel. I've paired it with a delightful and refreshing pear ginger mousse.
My featured natural sweetener that I used instead of sugar is Xagave. It is a premium blend Agave nectar that contains a special mixture of blue and white agave. Having used several other brands of agave nectars before, I found Xagave syrup to be delicate yet more flavorful. In this recipe, as it could be in may others, it is a complete substitute for sugar.
Ingredients:1 tablespoon butter
2 pears, peeled, cored and chopped (about 1 1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
3 tablespoons agave syrup (Xagave)
1/4 cup brandy
2/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 fennel bulb
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup agave syrup (Xagave)
Directions:
In a skillet, melt butter. Add ginger, pears, and agave syrup. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the pears are tender. Add 1/4 cup brandy and blend into a puree. Strain if necessary.
Whip the cream to soft peaks and fold into the pear puree. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
Slice fennel into thin rounds on a mandoline. Place into a saucepan, cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer for a few minutes, then drain. Return to the saucepan. Add water and agave syrup and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Cool.
Arrange the pear ginger mousse in the individual serving bowls or glasses and add the candied fennel on top.
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I would like to submit this recipe for the Beet'n Squash You! December Battle Fennel at Bouchon For 2.
Also, I've already submitted this recipe for this month's Royal Foodie Joust at the Leftover Queen Forum where the three ingredients were pear, ginger, and fennel. Go see what the other participants did with these ingredients and vote for your favorite!
