posted by Janie 04-14-100 2:34 PM
Fennel with Simple Cheese Sauce
Recipe: Stephanie Alexander, The Cooks Companion
40 g. butter
2 tbs. plain flour
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1 cup fresh gruyere or mozzarella cheese
salt
white pepper
grated nutmeg
1 bulb fennel, blanched and drained
4 tbs. fine white breadcrumbs
extra 2 tbs. grated cheese
Preheat oven to 180°C and butter or oil a gratin dish.
Melt butter in a saucepan, then stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes over a gentle heat, stirring with a wooden spoon. Gradually stir in milk and bring to the boil, stirring continuously. Add gruyere cheese and stir until just melted. Taste for seasoning and adjust. Add a little nutmeg.
Arrange fennel in gratin dish and spoon over sauce. Scatter with bread crumbs and extra cheese. Bake until well browned and bubbling at the edges, about 30 minutes.