When you see fennel in the market it may be labelled anise. Both fennel and anise taste like licorice, but anise seeds are a spice used in Chinese five-spice powder. The vegetable is best called fennel, or more precisely fennel bulb. Fennel seeds. which are not anise seeds, are sold as similar-tasting spice.

I’ve never like the licorice flavor, but I seem to be softening a bit in my old age. I’m up to the point of thinking it is not that bad. My father loved licorice, as do many people. If you are so inclined, fennel brings the flavor as a not-too-strong fresh vegetable.

The bulb slices neatly. One favorite combination is to slice the fennel very thin with a mandolin and combine it in salad with orange sections and a savory ingredient like black olives.

Another popular destination for fennel is in fennel soup. Our recipe search engine produce well over a hundred soup recipes Many of the recipes are simple, saute in butter and then add broth, and many reviewer are ecstatic with the results. Fennel bulb is used in Italian cuisine is risottos and pastas.