Imagine a dish that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will have your dinner guests begging for seconds. This Braised Sausage and Fennel with Toasted Spices isn't just a meal—it's an Italian-inspired flavor journey that combines the rich, hearty essence of Italian sausage with the delicate, slightly sweet notes of fennel. In just under an hour, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 bulb fennel, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast fennel seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, releasing their essential oils. Remove and set aside.
- In a large heavy-bottomed braising pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown Italian sausages on all sides until they develop a deep golden-brown crust, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove sausages and set aside.
- In the same pan, add chopped onions and sliced fennel. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and caramelize, stirring occasionally.
- Add minced garlic and toasted fennel seeds, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Return sausages to the pan, nestling them into the vegetable mixture. Pour chicken broth over the contents, ensuring sausages are partially submerged.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, allowing sausages to cook through and flavors to meld together.
- Uncover and increase heat to reduce liquid slightly, creating a rich, glossy sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Plate sausages with fennel and pan sauce, garnishing with fresh fennel fronds if desired.
Tips
- Toasting fennel seeds is crucial—it releases their essential oils and deepens their flavor. Watch them carefully to prevent burning.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven for even heat distribution and perfect browning.
- Don't rush the caramelization of onions and fennel; this develops complex, sweet undertones.
- Choose high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor profile.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.
- If you want extra richness, consider adding a splash of white wine when deglazing the pan.
- Fresh fennel fronds make an elegant garnish that adds a bright, herbaceous finish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 75mg
