Great Flavor Combinations: Beans/Franks and Fresh Fennel

Great Flavor Combinations: Beans/Franks and Fresh Fennel

When I was a kid, I discovered that orange and chocolate were a great flavor combination. Based on this breakthrough finding, and much to the undisguised disgust of family and friends, I used to stir Nestlé’s Quik into orange juice (habit officially ended around age 9).

Recently, enjoying a plate of beans and franks (a dish I enjoy as often as possible), I pulled out some fresh fennel from Caputo’s. What a great combination: the creamy bean and the crisp fresh bulb, the sweetness and the bitterness, the sausage and the licorice-like fennel notes, go very well together.

Just thought you’d like to know.

Hammond

OK, I'll bite: sounds good, but perhaps a few of the details? Frank type, bean type, cooking speed and duration, how'd you do the fennel?

No fair teasing!

Geo

Geo wrote:OK, I'll bite: sounds good, but perhaps a few of the details? Frank type, bean type, cooking speed and duration, how'd you do the fennel?

No fair teasing!

Geo

Geo,

The preparations were, shall we see, not elaborate. Bush Baked Beans, Nathan's dogs, with fennel was cut fresh and eaten uncooked.

Hope you're not disappointed (next time I'll follow the current trend for upgrading the basics by using Cannelini beans soaked overnight in water taken from Lake Como, sausage of fetal boar and fennel hand-picked by the Vestal Virgins of Vesuvius.

Hammond

Your "Orange Quick" story immedately brought to mind this post about m'th'su's peanut butter & Jufran sandwiches.

Best,
Michael