We're fortunate enough to be down the street from Aziza's, so one of our partners ran down to get fennel slaw and their potato salad. When she returned she relayed her encounter with Billy and the fact that they didn't have any made, but that he was kind enough to whip some up. Then she offered this nugget "you'll never believe how easy it looked, sliced fennel, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and dill - that's it!"
The cookout went on and the weekend started for everyone - and I still had that slaw in the back of my head. Fast forward to a lazy weekend and The Wife and I are talking about what to eat on Sunday afternoon. With a purely selfish reason, I suggested we cook out burgers and that I would handle the sides - all to see if I could duplicate that fennel slaw.
Not knowing Billy's exact measurements, and adding a little something for sweetness, I think I did a pretty darn good job. The kumquats gave this a little added citrus and sweetness, but it would be equally as great, albeit more tangy without it.
This is the perfect side for a cookout because it doesn't have mayonnaise, so it's fine outside - plus its ready in a matter of minutes.
**Side Note: A mandolin will make your life easier when trying this recipe - it will enable to you get those perfectly even thin slices of fennel.
Ingredients:
1 Fennel Bulb
1 Teaspoon Dill
1 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Lemon
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 thinly sliced Kumquats (added at the suggestion of The Wife)
Directions:
Using a mandolin, slice your fennel bulb.
Put your fennel in a large bowl and add remaining ingredients - toss with tongs to combine.
Enjoy immediately.
Aziza's sure knows how to make simple ingredients sing. Being a cheapskate, I'd probably try to stretch out that expensive fennel bulb with some shaved cabbage and/or onions (red for color). Or, maybe some shaved and lightly steamed potatoes (purple?), or squash. I'm sure Billy's insistence on the best ingredients is what's building his following, but if I had to make a whole lotta this for guests...
ReplyDeleteTrader Joe's had two fennel bulbs for $3.00 - I only used one in this recipe. The shaved cabbage would be a great stretcher an probably compliment the flavor as well. Great ideas - it is a good recipe for a crowd.
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