Grilled Baby Fennel With Lemon And Pecorino

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   PREP THE FIRE AND THE FENNEL: Prepare your grill for a moderately hot fire. Add a few mesquite or hickory chips for even better flavor. Back in the kitchen, take your fennel and chop off the leafy stems where they meet the bulb. Pull a handful of the feathery leaves from the stems and finely chop them. Put in a small prep bowl and set aside. Now, we prep the bulb. If there are any bruises on your bulb, remove the outer layers until they are gone. Cut the fennel horizontally into 1-inch rings. Place rings in a mixing bowl and toss with a generous glug of olive oil to coat them plus half the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until your fire is ready.

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   GRILL: When your fire is ready, place your fennel rings into a vegetable grilling basket. Place basket over the coals and then partially close the cover to the grill. Grill until fennel is tender and browned on all sides, about 5-8 minutes per side.

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   TOSS: Place the grilled fennel rings in a serving bowl. In a small measuring cup, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil and the remaining lemon juice. Taste and adjust the amount of oil or lemon juice if needed. Pour enough of the vinaigrette over the fennel to moisten and toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper and toss again. Sprinkle the fronds, lemon zest, and pecorino cheese over the fennel. Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes, to your taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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   NOTE: The amounts I have provided are what I used. Feel free to make your own adjustments. Your fennel and lemon may be smaller or larger; you may like more or less cheese; etc.. Make adjustments where you see fit.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.