Swiss Fennel Bulbs Au Gratin

Submitted by Switzerland

"IF you like the tase of fennel or anis or Pastis or Pernod or the Greek Ouzo, this is a recipe for YOU! Delicious...otherwise try first"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 6 -8 fresh fennel bulbs
• 5 -6 tablespoons butter or 5 -6 tablespoons margarine
• salt
• pepper
• Season-All salt, to taste
• 6 -8 tablespoons flour
• 1 3⁄4 cups tasty cheese (Swiss Gruyere, Appenzeller, or then Sharp Cheddar or a mixture with Parmesan)
• 1 3⁄4 cups milk
• 3⁄4 cup dry white wine

directions

1. Pre-heat oven 350°F.
2. Butter a Pyrex or oven-proof dish.
3. Boil Fennel bulbs in salted water or preferably pressure cook them until done/soft when pierced with a fork.
4. Remove, drain well.
5. Cut each fennel bulb horizontally in half.
6. Place cut half bulbs face down into a single layer on your oven proof dish.
7. Dust with all the seasonings (mentioned above).
8. Sprikle entire surface moderately with flour.
9. Dot with butter.
10. Sprikle generously with the grated chesse (mixture of different cheeses very good!).
11. Proceed to next layer if more fennel available and repeat above steps.
12. Pour sufficient milk or Half and Half until fennel is barely covered.
13. Evenly distribute 3/4 cup DRY White wine or the Extra Dry Vermouth over entire surface.
14. Bake about 30 -35 minutes or until golden and bubbly.