A beautifully plated, colorful mound of glossy fettuccine noodles gently tossed with fennel and vibrant green herbs. The white fennel slivers and orange zests contrast against the brownish noodles.

Five-Spice Fennel Fettuccine

Name: Five-Spice Fennel Fettuccine
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 2 large fennel bulbs thinly sliced and fronds reserved; 350g fresh fettuccine; 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder; 1 large orange's worth zest of a large orange; 4 cloves of garlic minced; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; to taste salt; to taste black pepper; to garnish parmesan cheese; 1 bunch fresh parsley chopped

A Chinese-Italian fusion pasta with fennel and five-spice.

Category Main Course

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily recipe · March 17, 2024

A little about this dish

This unique fusion dish intertwines the classic Italian and Chinese cuisines, harnessing the natural sweetness and aniseed tang of seasonal fennel. This vibrant dish gives fettuccine a twist with the bold flavors of five-spice and a hint of orange

Ingredients (for 4)

Large fennel bulbs — 2 — thinly sliced and fronds reserved
Fresh fettuccine — 350g
Chinese five-spice powder — 1 tbsp
Zest of a large orange — 1 large orange's worth
Cloves of garlic — 4 — minced
Extra virgin olive oil — 1/3 cup
Red pepper flakes — 1/2 tsp
Salt — to taste
Black pepper — to taste
Parmesan cheese — to garnish
Fresh parsley — 1 bunch — chopped

Preparation

Step 1 — 🍳🔥🧄

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, then sauté until it gives off a lovely fragrance.
Step 2 — 🥘🌶️🍚

Add your thinly sliced fennel, five-spice, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for about 10 minutes until the fennel is tender and caramelized.
Step 3 — 🍝💧⏲️

Simultaneously, follow the package instructions to cook the fettuccine until al dente. Once cooked, drain it, ensuring to reserve a cup of the cooking water.
Step 4 — 🍳🍝🔄

Transfer the drained pasta into the skillet with the fennel. Add a little bit of the pasta water and toss until well-coated and heated.
Step 5 — 🍊🌿🧀

Finish your dish by sprinkling it with fresh parsley, orange zest, and parmesan cheese. Be sure to serve it immediately for the best taste.

A final fox tip

You could make this recipe vegan by substituting parmesan cheese with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. For a protein boost, try adding some grilled chicken or tofu. Kids can help by tearing the herbs, and zesting the orange. Surprise your guests with the fusion of pasta with the Chinese flavor twist.