Fennel With Blue Cheese And Bread Crumbs

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Bring a pot of water to a boil.

3. 3

   Cut fennel 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 a shallow baking dish.

5. 5

   (You can also drain the fennel, then stop its cooking by plunging it 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 fennel with bread crumbs, then cheese; season all with a grating of pepper (hold off on salt, because the cheese is salty).

8. 8

   Place in oven until cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

9. 9

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

10. 10

    Serve hot or at room temperature.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.