The dish features a vibrant combination of golden-brown fennel wedges with scattered pink pickled onions and a dusting of dark Szechuan pepper. Garnished with fresh fennel fronds on top, providing a fresh color contrast and adding a hint of sophistication.

Crispy Szechuan Fennel Wedges

Name: Crispy Szechuan Fennel Wedges
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Chinese Fusion
Ingredients: 1 large fennel bulb, 1 large cut into wedges; Szechuan peppercorns, 1 tsp ground; 1 small red onion, 1 small thinly sliced; rice vinegar, 1/4 cup; sugar, 1 teaspoon; salt, 1/2 teaspoon; crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon; vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons; salt, to taste; fresh fennel fronds, for garnish

Category Side Dish

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style Chinese Fusion

Technique Pan frying

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: August 30, 2023

This intriguing dish delivers an unexpected fusion of flavors, by leveraging the distinctive characteristics of fennel, along with the rich inspirations from Chinese cuisine. The combination of fennel, which has a sweet licorice-like taste, with Szechuan peppers' floral aroma, will create a delightful contrast that your palate will remember.

Ingredients (for 2)

1 large fennel bulb - 1 large - cut into wedges
Szechuan peppercorns - 1 tsp - ground
1 small red onion - 1 small - thinly sliced
Rice vinegar - 1/4 cup
Sugar - 1 teaspoon
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Crushed red pepper flakes - 1/2 teaspoon
Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Fresh fennel fronds - - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔪🌶️🥗

Combine sliced red onions with rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes in a bowl and set aside.
Step 2 - 🍳🔥🥬

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add fennel wedges and cook each side until golden brown and crispy, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
Step 3 - 🧂🌶️🥬

Remove fennel from heat, sprinkle with ground Szechuan peppercorns and season with salt to taste.
Step 4 - 💦🌶️🔝

Drain pickled onions and scatter them over the cooked fennel.
Step 5 - 🌿🍽️😋

Garnish your dish with fresh fennel fronds and serve immediately for best flavor.

Additional

For a sweeter variation, try adding a drizzle of balsamic reduction before serving. Reducing down some balsamic vinegar with a pinch of sugar will create a sweet and tangy syrup. This dish is a great way to introduce kids to new flavors by getting them involved in the quick pickling process.