- Tomato, Fennel and Potato Stew
Yield: 6 servings
1 1/2 lb potatoes, red or yellow-fleshed
2 fennel bulbs
1 lb ripe tomatoes; peeled, seeded, juice reserved or 2 c whole canned tomatoes
salt
4 Tbsp virgin olive oil
1 large leek; white part only, finely diced
1 large yellow onion cut into wedges
1/2" thick
2 garlic cloves; minced
1 tsp Herbes de Provence
3 pinch saffron threads
1 large strip orange zest (2" long)
2 bay leaves
1 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp Chopped parsley
12 Nicoise olives, pitted; or Gaeta or oil-cured black olives, pitted
Peel the potatoes and slice them lengthwise into quarters or, if
large, into 6ths. Trim the fennel, remove the outer leaves if
they're scarred, and cut into wedges 1/2-inch thick or a little
wider. Leave some of the core so that the pieces stay intact. Cut the tomatoes into large, neat pieces. Bring a pot of water to a
boil, add salt to taste and the potatoes, and boil for 5 minutes.
Remove the potatoes, but save the water. While the potatoes are
cooking, warm the olive oil in a wide pan. When hot, add the leek,
onion, garlic, herbs, a little salt, saffron, orange zest and bay
leaves. Cook slowly over medium heat until the onions have begun
to soften, after 6 or 7 minutes, then add the wine. Let it reduce
by approximately half, then add the tomatoes and their juice, the
potatoes, fennel, half the parsley and the olives. Pour in enough
of the reserved potato water to cover, bring to a boil and lower
the heat. At this point, you can set the stew aside and finish it
later, either in the oven or on top of the stove. If cooking on
top of the stove, cover the pan and cook slowly until the vegetables
are tender, about 35 minutes. If cooking in the oven, preheat it
375F, cover loosely and bake for about 1 hour, or until done.
Remove bay leaves. Garnish with the remaining parsley and serve
with a bowl of garlic mayonnaise.
