Food Monday ~ Fennel Salad
I love Fennel, steamed, roasted and raw. Today I have a salad with the uncooked variety.
Fennel with Radish and New Potatoes.
Serves 4
- 500g new potatoes
- 1 fennel bulb
- 1 bunch of radishes
- 3 tablespoons of French Dressing
Cook the potatoes in their skins in boiling salted water, with one sprig of mint for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well. Finelly slice the fennel, radishes and potatoes. Chop the remaining mint leaves. Put the fennel, radishes, potatoes and mint in a salad bowl. Pour over the dressing while the potatoes are still warm and toss well.
steph said,
August 10, 2009 at 7:43 am
You’ve convinced me, GM
I’ve never used fennel but this really sounds delicious. We have our own home-grown spuds and radishes at the moment so no excuse!
Hubby will be dispatched forthwith to purchase a fennel bulb
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 9:05 am
Steph,
I hope you told him to keep the change!
JBBC said,
August 10, 2009 at 10:45 am
Sounds great - really simple. I have often wondered whaty to do with fennell - and now I know
JBBC said,
August 10, 2009 at 10:46 am
ooops I put two LLs in fennel
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 11:25 am
JBBC,
Welcome on board. No worries about the spelling I forever make spelling mistakes. Your ‘Meat Free Monday’ recipe sounds tasty.
Maynard said,
August 10, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I love new potatoes with butter. I’m starting to eat my fresh tomatoes. Gardens are great.
Nancy said,
August 10, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Grannymar,
When my children were babies,if they had colic or any other digestive distress, my MIL would make a warm drink out of fennel. She called it Fennel Tea and it was really effective. She would put the warm tea in a baby bottle and feed it to the baby who would almost immediately be comforted and would go to sleep. Also, read below from Wikipedia:
Fennel seed treatment claimed effective to prevent SWINE FLU.. Staff Report Published: July 05, 2009, 08:53.
Sharjah: Drinking a decoction made of fennel seeds soaked in warm water first thing in the morning could prevent you from catching SWINE FLU says a study published in a Chinese medical research magazine.
According to report published in Al Khaleej a local Arabic daily, the study has resulted in an increase of fennel seeds sales by 50 per cent in some Asian countries.
The report read that similar increase in sales was also visible in countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The fennel seed warm drink is being distributed to people who are making pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
steph said,
August 10, 2009 at 1:45 pm
@ Nancy
Since the recent surgery on my head, I’ve been prescribed a daily sinus rinse-out treatment. Recently, I read that this same sinus rinse mixture (sodium and bicarbonate of soda) is effective against swine flu.
Do you think… if I used fennel tea in the sinus rinse bottle, I’d prevent swine flu and cure my digestive distress?
Magpie11 said,
August 10, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Fennel, Radishes and spuds…mm! But mint?
I love fennel…in salads or braised, like celery hearts…..
Have just heard that it may help reduce cholesterol…I need that!
I wonder if the seeds are from the same species as Florence fennel?
Nancy said,
August 10, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Yes, Steph, you have hit on a great idea! I say that you should mix the Fennel Tea with the Sodium and Bicarbonate of Soda, add a dash of Scotch and a smidgen of Vermouth. Stir, not shake,this mixture., then :
Add one Prozac and one Immodium and a pint of Pepto Bismol and your head trouble and your digestive trouble will be a thing of the past….
Actually, Steph, you might still have some small problems but Hey! You won’t care…..
peter donegan said,
August 10, 2009 at 3:23 pm
A Chara GM,
the more common fennel or Foeniculum vulgare has a smaller bulb - and if that be the plant part of choice then it is better to opt for the Foeniculum vulgare dulce - a more cultivate variety.
My latin abilities aside - the fennel seeds have been noted for their abilities to cure ‘wind’. The seeds are moreso recognised for their ‘digestive properties’ and often served at the end of meals. [i myself have been served these at the end of an indian meal when in brussels once]
After this there are no noted medicinal properties on record of the fennel plant apart from that herbalists are extremely fond of it.
Introduced by the romans. all parts of the plant are edible. generally flowers from june to october - when after the seeds should be collected.
slán go foill
peter
peter donegan said,
August 10, 2009 at 3:35 pm
…..cures wind
[cue gigling down the back of the classroom]
now get back to work
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Howya Peter,
I knew you you would sort this lot out. If you only knew the trouble I have with that Steph, Magpie and Nancy giggling round the back of the bike shed, never mind the back of the class room! I was busy making a large pot of limeflower tea to calm them down, when you called. I hope that helps.
Hugs
Gm.
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Now Children…
@Maynard - I fancy a fresh tomato sandwich with plenty of pepper on it right now… no butter by the way for me!
@Nancy - You better take a look at what Uncle Peter has to say… He’s an expert you know… Gm only knows the best people!
@Steph - No mixing your drinks now please, and go easy on the singing!
@Magpie - Are you any good at the latin? I only know two languages and the other one I am not allowed to use here.
bikehikebabe said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I spotted a woman in a crowd that outshone everyone. She said to use fennel seed to make tea & soak your hair, for a big healthy shine. I bought a pound. It dripped (& smelled) so that I slept in the bathtub. –My hair didn’t shine like hers.
About your recipe: 500 potatoes is too much for one family.
steph said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Grannymar
Anyone who mixes brussels with an Indian take-away, deserves to suffer from wind
Maynard said,
August 10, 2009 at 4:52 pm
FYI____”Fennel has aided many woman with health issues. It will relax the uterus and promote natural breast enhancement. Fennel is also used to treat hormonal imbalance which causes PMS, menopause, and low libido, and to stimulate menstruation and milk production in nursing mothers. ” Googles words, not mind!
Maynard said,
August 10, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Ladies, I have three big greenhouses–I can grow as much “fennel” as you would like. Shipping will be free.
steph said,
August 10, 2009 at 5:15 pm
@ Maynard
Thanks a bunch.
I never saw that information written on a packet of fennel tea!
I think I’ve reached the stage of life where Nancy’s concoction might have more impact
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 5:29 pm
@BHB - I have heard of beer to condition my hair but never fennel, after this it will only be used for eating. By the way it was 500 grammes of potatoes and new ones are small. 500 large potatoes were about the number I peeled everyday when I was growing up…. It was after the Famine and we had plenty!
@Steph - I would worry about what would sprout after that combination.
@Peter don’t mind her; she’s jealous ’cause you’re my toyboy! 
@Maynard - You studied the subject well
Fennel is the new cure-all so! Remember I get commission on any orders!
@Steph - One of these years we will have a Nancy Party. I wonder when she is coming over next?
Maynard said,
August 10, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Grannymar, I will send the contract papers. Split–90– 10.
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Maynard - Has to be 60 - 40 in my favour or I am not playing!
Darlene said,
August 10, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Nancy’s concoction may not cure anything, but you won’t care if you’re sick after drinking it.
Magpie11 said,
August 10, 2009 at 9:56 pm
No Latin…… as for Scientific names of plants….one pedant on the staff of my last school would always reprimand me for using the term “Latin name” when referring to plants or animals….mind you he couldn’t tell the difference between Atropa belladonna and Solanum nigrum (deadly and Black Nighshades)….. there’s a whole theory of nutrition that says we shouldn’t eat Solanums…eg Potatoes and tomatoes apparently.
Gerard wrote ‘Fennel seede drunke assuageth the paine of the stomache, and the wambling of the same, or desire to vomite, and breaketh winde.
I’ve also found out that it keeps witches away! And flies from horses!
Magpie11 said,
August 10, 2009 at 10:03 pm
foenum = hay……
This is becoming almost obsessive! The more I find out the more fascinating it becomes!
My radishes have bolted. has any one a recipe for using the seed pods? I’m sure they must be tasty!
bikehikebabe said,
August 10, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I made a mistake. The stinky tea I put on my hair to make it shine was THISTLE (without the stickers) NOT FENNEL.
Maynard said,
August 10, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Bhb, if you leave the stickers on–you could massage your head while washing it. That’s a 2 for 1 product.
Grannymar said,
August 10, 2009 at 11:53 pm
@Darlene - I wonder if Nancy tries out all her recipes on Roy?
@Magpie - Your radishes have bolted! Where did they go? You be careful of these obsessions, I don’t want Lady Magpie fighting with me!
@BHB- Did your hair turn green?
@Maynard - Ouch!
Maynard said,
August 11, 2009 at 12:28 am
Grannymar, I was just looking over you receipe log, and when do you find time to eat all of that fantastic food? Is that where the Toyboys come in? HMMMMM!
Grannymar said,
August 11, 2009 at 10:04 am
Maynard,
I have tested many a recipe on my Toyboys over the years.
Some come back for second helpings!