Ah, fennel. The vegetable most of us overlook because, well, what on earth do you do with it? My husbandâs Italian side of the family would munch on it raw after dinner. I only first used it in culinary school. Now, I add it to my cart once a week.
Fennel is actually part of the carrot family. It has an incredible sweetness and depth if you take time with it. I started by slicing it and adding it to the veggies underneath my roast chicken (also, veggies roasted in chicken fat? Yes, please!). I started wondering how else I could use fennel since itâs a pretty affordable but under-loved vegetable.
French onion dip is a staple at my husbandâs family gatherings. It has to be the powdered mix and the sour cream, no exceptions. So, what if I combined their two loves: creamy French onion dip and fennel? Thatâs how this recipe was born.
This Caramelized Fennel Dip has the same richness and salty-sweet deliciousness as French onion dip, but with an underlying complexity from the anise flavor in the fennel. Serve it with crackers or chips, and this dip is an instant favorite.