Fennel Apple Gratin (Grain-Free and Vegan Friendly)
 
 
This complex yet comforting vegetable dish to delight the senses. Perfect as an accompaniment to roasted chicken or turkey, or a satisfying side in a vegetarian meal.
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • BASE:
  • 2.5 cups fennel (about 1 small-medium bulb quartered, core removed and sliced into ¼ inch-thick pieces)
  • 1.5 cups onion (about 1 small-medium onion, peeled & quartered, sliced into ¼ inch-think pieces)
  • 1 cup apple (1 small or ½ large apple peeled, cut into thin slices then diced to match fennel and onion pieces)
  • 2T ghee or coconut oil
  • 2T fresh parsley
  • 1t fresh thyme
  • TOPPING:
  • 1cup walnuts (soaked and dehydrated)
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (or substitute ¾ cup walnuts, 2t coconut oil and salt to taste)
  • 1 lemon, zest of (about 1T)
  • 2T fresh parsley
  • 1t fresh thyme
  • 1 sprig of fennel
Instructions
  1. FOR THE BASE: Heat ghee or coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add vegetables and sauté until they begin to "sweat" (about 2-4 minutes). Sprinkle with salt and reduce heat to low.
  2. Add the herbs to the vegetables and saute, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes, until they are soft, but not yet caramelizing.
  3. Meanwhile heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  4. FOR THE TOPPING: Process the walnuts until they resemble coarse crumbs. Add the remaining topping ingredients and pulse a few times until integrated, but still rather coarse.
  5. ASSEMBLY: Place vegetables in a smallish casserole or gratin dish (mine is 6 cups/1.5 quarts). Top with crumbs (you may have more than you want or need - use them for in a salad or another dish). Cover and bake for 30 minutes covered, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Serve.
Notes
A couple of ways you can diversify this recipe:
•Make only the vegetable base, then add 4 cups of broth and simmer for twenty minutes. Puree and top with caramelized onions as a terrific starter soup.
•The grain-free crumb topping would be delicious in pasta or a salad, on baked potatoes...just about anything.
Recipe by The Nourishing Gourmet at https://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/fennel-apple-gratin-grain-free-and-vegan-friendly/