Braised Fennel with Olives and Cardamom

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 medium fennel bulbs, quartered and cored
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound oil-cured black olives (about 20), pitted
• 6 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 8 thyme sprigs
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Heat the olive oil in a roasting pan set over 2 burners.
3. Add the fennel bulbs and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the fennel softens slightly and is just beginning to brown, about 20 minutes.
4. Scatter the garlic, olives, cardamom and thyme over the fennel and season generously with salt and pepper.
5. Pour the chicken stock into the roasting pan and bring to a boil over moderately high heat.
6. Turn off the heat.
7. Place a crumpled sheet of parchment or wax paper directly over the fennel, then tightly cover the roasting pan with foil.
8. Bake the fennel for about 1 hour, or until tender.
9. Remove the foil and the parchment paper and roast the fennel for 25 minutes longer, or until it is very tender and the liquid in the roasting pan has reduced to a few tablespoons.
10. Transfer the fennel and olives to a serving platter.
11. Remove and discard the cardamom pods and thyme sprigs.
12. Serve the fennel warm or at room temperature.

extravirgin olive oil, fennel bulbs, garlic, black olives, cardamom pods, thyme, salt, chicken stock

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/braised-fennel-with-olives-and-cardamom (may not work)