Fennel Gratin

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400F.

2. 2

   Bring a pot of water to a boil.

3. 3

   Trim the fennel, then cut it into about 1/4-inch-thick slices and cook in the boiling water until just tender, less than 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Drain and layer in the shallow baking dish.

5. 5

   (You can also drain the vegetables, then stop their cooking by plunging them into ice water, then drain again.

6. 6

   In this manner you can finish the cooking up to a day or two later; increase the baking time to 20 minutes.)

7. 7

   Top the fennel with the bread crumbs, then with the cheese; season all with pepper to taste (hold off on salt, because the cheese is salty).

8. 8

   Put in the oven until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

9. 9

   Run the baking dish under the broiler until the top browns, checking every 30 seconds.

10. 10

    Serve hot or at room temperature.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.