Recipe Modification Suggestion?

[sraun]

The New York Times website has a recipe for Wild Rice and Quinoa Breakfast Stuffing. (courtesy of lsanderson

It calls for fennel. Every description I've ever seen of fennel says its taste is reminiscent of anise/licorice. For me, this is a gag-worthy taste. What would you suggest doing about the fennel? Leave it out? Replace it with something else? If so, what?

FWIW, this is not a recipe I'd use for a breakfast dish - I'd be more likely to make it for a starch side to go with dinner, or maybe dinner main dish!

ETA: I have been reminded that fennel seed does not taste of anise/licorice - which, with said prompting, causes me to bring to mind the taste of fennel seed in Italian sausage, and, yes, it is an acceptable spice.

Comments

[lonotter.livejournal.com]

The fennel seeds I'd just leave out. For the fennel bulb, I think potato and/or onion. (Or find a similar-ish rice recipe that doesn't include the fennel. It may be easier to substitute quinoa for part of the rice than figure out how to replace the fennel.)

[thebluerose.livejournal.com]

I am also not a fennel fan, and I agree, substitute with potato and onions. You may want to add another herb to give some additional flavour - sage goes nicely with sausage

[adina-atl.livejournal.com]

I'd try celery if you like that, or just omit it. I'd include the fennel seeds, however, at least the first time you make it. Fennel seeds with savory things like sausage is very different from licorice (and I loathe licorice root).

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Italian sausage normally includes fennel seed; if you're willing to consider this recipe based on Italian sausage, it might be worth a try to include the fennel seed, too.

[mizzlaurajean.livejournal.com]

Well I don't like anise or licorice but I do like the bulb of the fennel. I'd try it the way the recipe indicates and then alter it next time if I found it displeased me.

[jekni.livejournal.com]

You could substitute sliced leeks for the fennel bulb. Or witlof (Belgian endive) would also be suitable. I'd think.

[guyfie.livejournal.com]

caraway will give it a similar texture to fennel without the licorice taste.