My fennel hasn't bolted!

[Sam Spade]

I was cackin' myself earlier on this season on reading dire warnings that fennel nearly always bolted when sown early. Well good news: mine didn't.  ;DI watered regularly and trimmed the tops a bit when they seemed to be getting a bit over hairy and .. . result! Question is: what do I do with it now!!? Any good recipes that come to mind?

[Sam Spade]

[wardy]

Oh Sam, don't get me started on fennel recipes, I could bore you to death  ;D

I have posted somewhere today that I made fennel soup yesterday and it was absolutely fab  ;D  My niece, who'd never eaten fennel (and I'm fairly new to it too) was in raptures over it, told her friend about it and now she wants me to make her some  ;D

There are some good recipes on here but I also Googled and found a Covent Garden Soup one, and one which used turmeric (which I plumped for). 

My lotty mate grows fennel for us both and he introduced me to it and he roasts chicken on a bed of fennel, garlic, onion, chicken stock or white wine.  then when chicken cooked you add cream to thicken it up a bit.  I used chicken breasts for mine.  The fennels are sliced thickly.  I just browned off the veg a bit first.  I think fennel is supposed to cook for at least 30 mins in this dish to get most of its flavour.  Happy cooking  :)

[Sam Spade]

Sound good Wardy. Could I trouble you for that soup recipe or point me in the right direction. I like the sound of that.  ;D

[Mrs Ava]

Hmph, well mine did, twice, third lot eaten by slugs!  Now do I bother trying again or is it really to late this year?  Marshalls have a fennel for sowing in July!

[wardy]

I'm going to give it a go.  The seeds my mate has given me are "Selma"   the plants he's grown are getting very big so need eating like right now  ;D

The soup recipe or the chickeny thing Sam ???

[Mrs Ava]

So, if I can get to the plot soooon, I might sow a row direct and see what nature bringeth.

[ALAN HOWELL]

quote]

I usually sow another batch in July and generally get favourable results    Alan

[Mrs Ava]

Good to hear Alan, then this is the last time I will try!  In the meantime...what to do with a row of lovely ferny bolted fennel!?!??!?!?

[ellkebe]

 I'm still babying my fennel along.  No signs of bolting yet so hopefully all is ok.  Is cutting the foliage back supposed to help stop them bolting Sam?

[Sam Spade]

Well, I'm not sure if it's the prescribed method, but I certainly find it helps. I just trim the tops with a pair of shears.  Works for me ....

[ellkebe]

Thanks Sam  :)