Braised Celery and Fennel in Biancolilla

February 23, 2022

Looking for a winter vegetable side dish that doesn't skimp on fresh and green flavors? Use our bright and grassy Biancolilla with celery and fennel, spiked with capers and vinegary peperoncino to complement meat based stews or roasts.

Braised Celery and Fennel in Biancolilla

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Ingredients

4 TBS Olio Taibi Biancolilla Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
6 large ribs celery, cut into 3"-4" lengths (see note)
1 small bulb fennel, cored and cut into 1/3" thick slices
2 fat cloves garlic, peeled, lightly crushed, and halved
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3-4 peperoncino, steamed, seeded, thinly sliced (about 2 TBS)
1 1/2 TBS capers (rinsed if salt packed)
1 TBS tomato paste
2 cups hot water
2 TBS celery leaves and fennel fronds, chopped

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Directions

In a large deep sauté pan, heat 3 TBS Olio Taibi Biancolilla Extra Virgin Olive Oil over medium high heat.
Add celery, fennel, and garlic. Season with salt and black pepper. Sauté for 10 minutes, until vegetables start to caramelize slightly.
Stir in peperoncino and capers, sauté for one minute.
Push vegetables to the side, add tomato paste to pan. Cook for a minute to caramelize. Stir into vegetables.
Add hot water, bring to a simmer.
Cover pan and simmer for 45 minutes, until vegetables are soft and tender.
Remove lid, and raise heat. Cook off excess liquid to create a glaze.
Serve warm or room temperature, garnished with celery leaves, fennel fronds, and 1 TBS Olio Taibi Biancolilla Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Recipe Note

If your celery ribs are especially broad, halve them lengthwise before cutting them crosswise. If your celery ribs are especially stringy on the outside, use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer stringy parts.