The nutrients in fennel are reputed to be linked to a range of health benefits.
- Bone health – the vitamin and mineral content in fennel contributes to building and maintaining bone structure and strength.
- Blood pressure – a rich source of potassium which is a vasodilator – it relaxes the tension in blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
- Helps prevent anaemia – as it contains iron and histidine.
- Boosts immunity and assists with indigestion.
- Anti-flatulent – due to the the aspartic acid found in it
- Heart health – source of fibre but it also helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. It can stimulate the elimination of damaging LDL or bad cholesterol
- Anti-inflammatory
- Assists with digestion and regularity
So if you think you don’t like it, perhaps you just need to try it in this recipe???
Just three ingredients, three minutes to prepare and 30 to roast.
Roasted Fennel with Parmesan – 166 calories
Preparation Time: 3 mins
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Serves: 2
Calories per serving: 166.7
Ingredients
Fennel, Bulb – 2 Medium Bulbs/600g
Olive Oil – 20ml
Parmesan Cheese, grated – 2 Tbsps/20g
Method
1) Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6.
2) Remove the fennel stems and slice the bulbs in half lengthwise. With the cut side down, slice each bulb vertically into 0.5cm thick slices, cutting right through the core. Spread the fennel slices on a baking sheet, coat with the olive oil, salt and pepper, and toss with your hands.
3) Roast the fennel slices for about 30 minutes, turning half way through – until the edges are crisp and brown. Remove from the oven and cover with Parmesan cheese shavings.
Nutrition Data Per Serving
Calories (kcal) 166.7
Sugars (g) 5.3
Fat (g) 12.9
Fibre (g) 7.2
Fruit & Veg 4.0
Protein (g) 6.7
Carbohydrate (g) 5.6