Best Fennel Butter Recipes

ROASTED HALIBUT WITH SAFFRON-FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon butter and the saffron in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the butter melts, about 1 minute. Let cool 5 minutes. Place the remaining butter and the fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the melted saffron butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and continue pulsing until the butter is bright yellow. Transfer to a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 4-inch log; freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. (The saffron butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the sliced fennel, garlic, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons water and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover with foil and bake until the fennel is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Toss the tomatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the tomatoes over the fennel. Set the halibut on top of the vegetables; drizzle with the juice of the remaining 1/2 lemon and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake, uncovered, until the halibut is firm and no longer translucent, about 12 minutes; remove from the oven and top each piece with a thin slice of saffron butter. Return the halibut to the oven and bake until the butter just begins to melt, about 2 more minutes. Serve with fennel fronds.

MEDITERRANEAN GRILLED WHOLE SNAPPER WITH FENNEL AND A PERNOD BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high.
• Rinse the snapper in clean water. Pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Remove any large fins with sharp kitchen shears. Season the inside of the fish with salt and pepper.
• Remove the leafy green tops from the fennel heads. Using the greens from 1 of the fennel heads, stuff the inside of the fish. Reserve the fennel bulbs and the remaining greens. Add the thyme and oregano and press closed. Make 3 diagonal slices on each side of the fillet. Cut down to the bone. Insert 1 lemon slice into each slit. Brush the whole fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Clean the surface of the grill with a grill brush. Brush the surface of the hot grill with olive oil. Place the stuffed red snapper on the preheated grill at a 45 degree angle and cook for about 10 minutes or until the fish easily lifts off the grill. With 2 spatulas, carefully turn 90 degrees and continue to cook another 5 minutes. Turn fish and cook the other side to desired doneness, at least another 10 minutes. Do not overcook.
• Meanwhile, cut the reserved fennel bulbs into 1/4-inch slices. Drizzle with olive oil and place on the grill. Grill until tender and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove to a platter and keep warm.
• For the sauce: Place a small saucepan on the grill or on a burner over medium heat. Add the water and bring to a simmer. Add the lemon juice and Pernod and reduce by 1/3. With the remaining reserved fennel leaves, remove the tender inner leaves and chop finely. You should have about 1/4 cup chopped fennel. Set aside. Remove the water/lemon mixture from the heat and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time. When the butter is incorporated, add the chopped fennel leaves and whisk well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• When the fish is cooked and the flesh is opaque and lifts easily from the bone, carefully remove using 2 sturdy metal spatulas and place on a platter.
• Serve the fish with some of the Pernod butter sauce and grilled fennel.

GRILLED OYSTERS WITH FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• Prepare and light a grill or preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, blend together the butter, ground fennel seeds, shallots, fennel bulb, fennel greens, pepper and salt.
• Arrange the oysters on the grill or oven rack, cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until they start hissing and begin to open.
• Using an oyster knife, pry each oyster open at the hinge, loosen the oyster and discard the flat shell. Top each oyster with 1/2 teaspoon of the fennel butter. Return to grill and cook until butter is melted and hot.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH FENNEL-MUSTARD BUTTER AND RADICCHIO

Steps:

• For Fennel-mustard butter:
• Stir fennel seeds in small skillet over high heat until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Place in spice mill and grind to coarse powder. Transfer to small bowl. Add remaining ingredients; stir to blend. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For Chicken:
• Whisk oil, lemon juice, and garlic in small bowl to blend. Place chicken in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour oil mixture over. Turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• Heat 2 heavy large skillets over medium-high heat. Add 3 chicken breasts with some of marinade to each skillet; sauté until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Place 2 teaspoons fennel-mustard butter atop each chicken breast. Melt 1/4 cup mustard-fennel butter in 1 skillet over medium-high heat. Add anchovies; mash with fork. Stir in radicchio and capers; sauté until radicchio just begins to wilt, about 1 minute. Spoon radicchio atop chicken breasts.

BAKED SALMON WITH TARRAGON AND FENNEL-SEED BUTTER

Steps:

• Stir butter, chopped tarragon, fennel seeds, lemon peel and lemon juice in small saucepan over low heat until butter melts. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange salmon on baking sheet. Brush butter mixture over salmon. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 450°F. Bake salmon until just opaque in center, about 12 minutes. Transfer salmon to plates. Garnish with lemon slices and tarragon sprigs.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray rack in shallow roasting pan with cooking spray.
• Gently loosen skin from chicken with fingers. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Spread butter mixture between chicken breast meat and skin; cover breast with skin. Place chicken, skin side up, on rack in pan.
• Bake uncovered 50 to 60 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut to bone (170°F).

ROASTED CARROTS WITH FENNEL-BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Trim carrot tops and coarsely chop. Measure out 2 Tbsp. carrot tops and set aside; reserve any remaining carrot tops for another use. Peel carrots, slice in half lengthwise, then cut into 2" pieces.
• Toss carrots with oil, sugar, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer and roast carrots, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized, 25-35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, lightly crush fennel seeds using a mortar and pestle or the bottom of a heavy pan. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, then stir in crushed seeds. Cook, stirring occasionally, until foam subsides and butter becomes fragrant, nutty, and golden brown, 3-5 minutes. Transfer butter mixture to a medium bowl.
• Once carrots are roasted, add them to butter mixture and toss to coat. Add lemon juice and toss to coat. Serve carrots topped with reserved carrot tops.

GOLDEN RAISIN-FENNEL SEMOLINA SODA BREAD WITH BUTTERMILK-ORANGE BUTTER

Steps:

• For the soda bread: Put the raisins in a bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Sift the all-purpose, cake and semolina flours, and the baking soda, cream of tartar and salt into a large bowl; stir in the sugar. Cut the 3 tablespoons butter into the flour until it resembles a coarse meal. Stir in the fennel seeds and the soaked raisins.
• In a small bowl, stir the orange zest into the buttermilk, and then add to the flour mixture, stirring with a fork just until a dough comes together. Turn the dough onto a work surface and knead briefly until the loose flour is just moistened; the dough should look shaggy and uneven.
• Form the dough into a 6-inch round and place in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Using a very sharp knife, score a deep cross into the top of the loaf. Bake until nicely browned and a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with the 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• While the bread bakes, make the buttermilk-orange butter: Whisk together the buttermilk and orange zest in a small bowl. Put the butter and salt in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Slowly pour in the buttermilk mixture and continue beating until just incorporated. Spread into a ramekin, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve slices of warm or toasted semolina soda bread with the orange butter.

BUTTER-POACHED LOBSTER ROLLS WITH CELERY FENNEL SLAW

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Remove the claws and tails from the lobsters. Boil the tails for 1 minute and the claws for 4 minutes, then remove from the water. Immediately remove the meat from the shells and set aside.
• Add the oil to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add and sweat the onions, garlic and bay leaves until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Carefully add the vermouth and reduce until dry, about 2 minutes. Add the cream, then reduce by two-thirds, until thick. Slowly whisk in the pound of butter little by little until fully emulsified. Add the lobster tail and claw meat to the butter cream sauce and poach over low heat at 165 degrees F until cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the lobster from the pan and allow to cool just to the touch. Rough chop and set aside.
• Add the mustard seeds, vinegar, sugar and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, separate the celery into stalks. Using a Japanese mandoline, slice the celery into paper-thin strips. Cut the fennel bulb into quarters. Using the Japanese mandoline, slice the fennel bulb paper thin.
• In a medium bowl, toss the celery slices, fennel slices, mustard oil and 2 tablespoons pickled mustard seeds. Taste and adjust as desired with more mustard seeds. Keep cool until ready to serve.
• In a 12-inch cast-iron pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and griddle the buns, top side-down, over medium-high heat until golden brown.
• Open the buns and fill with spoonfuls of the lobster mixture. Top with a handful of the slaw and garnish with the reserved fennel fronds.

CAVATELLI WITH FENNEL SAUSAGE, BROWN BUTTER AND CRISPY SAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, then the sausage in batches, if necessary, to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook until the sausage is fully cooked, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the sausage to a plate and return the skillet to the heat.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, add the butter and the chopped sage to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the butter is browned and smells nutty. Pour in the wine and cook until the alcohol has cooked off, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon, about 3 minutes. Return the sausage to the skillet, add the pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and fried sage leaves and serve immediately.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together with your hands until well combined. Gently roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and set aside on a rimmed baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until ready to use, for up to 4 days.

FENNEL AND BUTTER BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine butter beans, fennel, and scallions in a bowl.
• Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, dill, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic together in a separate bowl. Pour dressing over the bean mixture; toss together to coat.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving, or up to 1 day.

ROAST LEG OF LAMB WITH FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• For seasoned butter:
• Mix all ingredients with fork in medium bowl. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• For lamb:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Pour 2 tablespoons oil into large roasting pan. Place pan directly atop 2 burners over medium-high heat. Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Add lamb to pan and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove pan from heat. Brush lamb with half of seasoned butter.
• Roast lamb 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F; continue roasting until thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 130°F for medium-rare, about 40 minutes longer. Transfer to platter; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes.
• Skim off fat from drippings in roasting pan. Place pan atop 2 burners over high heat. Add wine and broth. Boil until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 13 minutes. Whisk in remaining seasoned butter (sauce will be thin). Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garnish lamb with rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve with sauce.

SHRIMP WITH ORANGE BUTTER AND FENNEL AND ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• Zest and juice 1 orange; reserve. Cut the peel and white pith from the remaining orange. Slice the orange into half-moons and put into a bowl. Add the fennel, 4 teaspoons olive oil, vinegar, and 1 teaspoon salt; toss to coat and set aside.
• Toss the shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle with salt. Sear the shrimp in a hot skillet for 45 seconds, then flip. Add 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and butter; cook until the shrimp is opaque in the center, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Serve the fennel salad with the shrimp.

YUKON GOLD AND FENNEL PUREE WITH ROSEMARY BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine fennel, onion, oil, and 1 teaspoon sea salt in large bowl; toss. Spread in single layer on prepared baking sheet; sprinkle with pepper. Roast until fennel and onion are very tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer fennel mixture to processor and puree until almost smooth.
• Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until very tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well. Cool slightly. Place in large bowl and mash with potato masher until smooth. Mix in fennel puree.
• Melt butter with rosemary and 1 teaspoon sea salt in small saucepan over medium heat. Stir butter mixture into fennel-potato puree. Mix in crème fraîche. Season to taste with more pepper and salt, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Transfer puree to large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill. Before serving, microwave on high until heated through, about 4 minutes.
• Sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

ROASTED OR GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH FENNEL AND WALNUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Vegetables -- Mix the vegetables and fennel with the olive oil, salt and pepper and toss well.
• Bake -- on a foil lined baking or cookie sheet at 450 for 12-20 minutes until golden brown. Add to a small bowl and cover.
• Butter -- Mix the butter in a measuring cup and add the nuts and mix well. Now toss the melted butter with the roasted sprouts and fennel. Toss well to coat. Add any additional seasoning if necessary.
• Now -- clean up. Melt the butter and nuts in the bowl you use to serve the sprouts in, one less dish. Very easy simple dish. But try this with other vegetables. Also, don't be afraid to try macadamia nuts with snap peas or pecans with butternut squash. Many different combinations you can use.
• Option: Sometimes will crumble a little blue cheese or goat cheese over the top which is really good.

STEAMED SALMON STEAKS WITH LEMON BUTTER AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Season salmon steaks with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with fennel seeds. Slice 1/2 of the lemon and juice the remaining half; set both aside.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add salmon steaks, cover, and steam until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 8 minutes.
• While the salmon is cooking, melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in lemon juice.
• Remove salmon from the steamer. Remove and discard skins, and arrange salmon on a plate. Pour lemon butter over top and decorate with fennel fronds and lemon slices.

FENNEL-DUSTED CHICKEN WITH BROWN BUTTER AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Stir together fennel seeds, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pat chicken dry, then sprinkle both sides with fennel mixture.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter with oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until foam subsides, then cook 2 cutlets, turning once, until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely. Add remaining 2 cutlets to skillet and cook, then transfer to plate. (Butter will brown as chicken cooks.)
• Add capers and orange juice to skillet along with any meat juices from plate and bring to a boil, scraping up brown bits. Remove from heat and swirl in remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Pour over chicken.

MUSSELS WITH FENNEL AND ROASTED RED PEPPER BUTTER

Steps:

• Make the red pepper butter:
• In a food processor or blender blend the butter with the roasted peppers, the garlic, the red pepper flakes, and salt to taste until the mixture is smooth. The red pepper butter may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• Scrub the mussels well in several changes of cold water, scrape off the beards, and rinse the mussels. In a large kettle combine 4 cups water, the white wine, the Sherry, the fennel bulb, the shallot, the red pepper flakes, the fennel seeds, the thyme, and the salt and boil the mixture, covered, for 3 minutes. Add the mussels, boil them, covered, shaking the kettle occasionally, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the shells have opened, and discard any unopened mussels. Arrange the mussels, the fennel bulb, and the shallot in shallow bowls, ladle the hot broth over them, and spoon about 1 tablespoon of the red pepper butter in the center of each serving. Serve the remaining red pepper butter separately.
• To roast peppers:
• Using a long-handled fork char the peppers over an open flame, turning them, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the skins are blackened. (Or broil the peppers on a rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from the heat, turning them every 5 minutes, for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.) Transfer the peppers to a bowl and let them steam, covered, until they are cool enough to handle. Keeping the peppers whole, peel them starting at the blossom end, cut off the tops, and discard the seeds and ribs. ( Wear rubber gloves when handling chilies.)

FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small pan. Add the fennel seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the garlic, stirring so garlic doesn't burn, and cook for 1 minute.
• Squeeze the juice of the lemon into the pan and stir, cooking for another minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.

SMALL-BATCH GRAVLAX WITH FENNEL-ORANGE BUTTER

Steps:

• 1. To make the gravlax: Using a mortar and pestle or the side of a knife, lightly crush the peppercorns. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the sugar, salt and orange zest. Rub mixture over salmon flesh; press the fennel fronds and tarragon all over flesh. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 1 to 3 days. Turn fish after 12 hours and taste after 24 hours. 2. To make the butter (up to 3 days ahead): Using a mortar and pestle or the side of a knife, mash the garlic with a pinch of salt until it forms a paste. Transfer to a bowl. Add the butter, 1 tablespoon of fennel fronds, tarragon, orange zest and pepper. Stir to combine. 3. To serve, spread fennel-orange butter on slices of pumpernickel. Wipe off most of the marinade from the salmon and slice off the skin. Thinly slice the fish, pile it on the pumpernickel, and sprinkle with salt, more black pepper and a little lemon juice. Top with fennel fronds.