Crispy Creamy Fennel Gratin

Use planks of thinly sliced fennel, cooked simply in cream, and baked under a blanket of breadcrumbs, herbs, and Pecorino Romano. Serve it alongside a steak, or on its own with a green salad. It's light and bright from the fennel, comforting from the cream, and crunchy from the topping—a keeper.

Yield:
4 to 6 servings
Category:
Vegetables
Cuisine:
French

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 fennel bulbs, sliced finely by hand, a mandolin, or a food processor (about 1 1/2 quarts sliced fennel)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, preferably fresh
  • 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400°F. In large skillet combine fennel, cream, and water. Season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Pecorino Romano, parsley, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Bring the fennel mixture to a simmer over high heat, stirring frequently, then transfer to a 2-quart oval casserole dish. Top the fennel with the breadcrumb mixture and place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the topping is golden and crisp, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

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