Braised Fennel with Sausage

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced ¼-inch thick
8 ounces sweet Italian sausage (g-free) without fennel seeds, removed from casings
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored and cut in 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch peperoncino

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and sausage. Saute`, crumbling the sausage with the back of a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 to 4 minutes.

2. Clear a hot spot in the pan and add the tomato paste. Let the tomato paste toast for a minute or 2, then stir it into the vegetables. Add the fennel and season with the salt and peperoncino. Lower the heat, cover the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until fennel is tender and caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and increase heat to cook away any excess liquid in the pan, if necessary.

Recipe Courtesy:  Lidia Bastianich