Fennel Bulb

Perhaps it’s the Italian in me but I absolutely LOVE a good Italian sausage with peppers and onions. Ta-sty! This is a recipe I tried awhile back when I was trying to trim down on my carb consumption. You can use any Italian sausages but I really like Aidells Italian Style Chicken Sausages. They are flavor packed and the chicken helps cut down on some of the calories from the traditional pork or beef. The whole family loved this recipe! For those not watching their carbs, I served it with some crusty French bread and it was a perfect meal! Quick, easy, and delicious. That’s my style!

Note: The sausage and veggies are absolutely awesome in a sandwich too. Just grab a pack of sandwich rolls, load ’em up, and chow down!

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds Italian sausage (I love Aidells Italian Style Smoked Chicken Sausage with Mozzarella)
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 red bell peppers, chopped
2 yellow bell peppers, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb, chopped
salt
1 c dry red wine
1 c fresh parmesan, grated

STEPS

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Add the sausage and cook turning frequently until they turn a nice golden color and are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to the sausages to a large plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil to the skillet along with all the veggies.
Cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are softened, about 12–14 minutes.
Season the veggies with salt and add the sausages back into the skillet.
Add the wine to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
Continue to cook for about 4 minutes or until the wine has reduced by about half.
Sprinkle with the grated parmesan and serve.

Recipe adapted from Food and Wine.

Awhile back I posted a recipe for kale chips. Kale chips are a delicious and healthy snack that my son absolutely loved. I was eager to find more recipes that were just as simple, tasty, and nutritious. I recently used the same seasoning and cooking technique with roasted fennel and had fabulous results. These roasted fennel fries were absolutely addicting. My son and I could not stop eating them! We didn’t even waste time getting out a plate. I kid you not, we were eating the pieces straight off the baking sheet. They were that good! Think french fries, but without the calories and even more flavorful. Roasted fennel fries are not only a great snack but they also make a great side dish for any dinner. Just be sure you make enough because these fries will go fast!

INGREDIENTS 
2 large fennel bulbs, fronds removed and sliced into 1/3” thick pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

STEPS

Preheat oven to 375º.
Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper and place the fennel slices in a single layer.
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place in the oven and cook for 30–45 minutes flipping once halfway through.
Bake until the fennel is fork tender and a golden brown.