Fennel and Lemon Bruschetta with Whipped Mascarpone and Frisée Salad

AKA the best appetizer ever!  I’m not even a huge fan of fennel but I drool all over with this bruschetta.This is my rendition of a seasonal appetizer I had (several times…okay, every time I went and it was on the menu) at a local restaurant.  After the first bite, I knew I just had to go home and recreate it so I could have it anytime I wanted.Fennel and shallots are slow-cooked until they’re soft, sweet and caramelized and combined with finely minced lemon peel that has been boiled to soften-this will make the most flavorful fennel-lemon marmalade that tops these bruschetta.  Mascarpone is whipped with fresh herbs to make a smooth, creamy spread.  Frisée is tossed with a sharp lemon vinaigrette and piled atop the bruschetta, making it irresistibly difficult to eat.  Sorry, not sorry.

If you don’t know what frisée is, now’s the time to seek it out and try it!  It’s one of my favorite greens-partially because it’s fancy and has a French name, and partially because it’s bitter and delicious.  Perfect to offset the sweet fennel-lemon marmalade and creamy mascarpone.  This is basically a salad on giant croutons, right?!  Totally acceptable to eat all of it as a meal, in my opinion.

Fennel and Lemon Bruschetta with Whipped Mascarpone and Frisée Salad

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• Author: Amanda
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings

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Description

Crisp baguettes are topped with creamy whipped herb mascarpone, sweet lemon-fennel marmalade, and a mound of lemon vinaigrette-dressed frisée.  The perfect appetizer for dinner parties, big bashes, or a complete meal for one (if you’re me).

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Ingredients

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FENNEL-LEMON MARMALADE:

• 1 lemon, rind removed from half using a vegetable peeler
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 2 fennel bulbs (about 2 pounds), trimmed, quartered and cored and sliced in 1/4-inch pieces
• Pinch of red pepper flakes

WHIPPED MASCARPONE:

• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

FRISÉE SALAD:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 head frisée, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces

TO ASSEMBLE:

• 1 baguette, thinly sliced on the diagonal and toasted until lightly golden
• Fresh chives, chopped into 1-inch pieces

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Instructions

1. Ensure the lemon rind does not have much, if any, white pith, trimming away any with a sharp knife.  In a small saucepan, cover the lemon rind with water and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until softened.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the liquid.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the shallot and a generous pinch of kosher salt and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.  Add the garlic and fennel and another pinch of salt; cook for an additional 5 minutes until the fennel has begun to soften.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 50 to 60 minutes, until the fennel has caramelized and turned a golden-brown color.  When the lemon has cooled, finely mince into very small pieces.  Stir into the fennel mixture and add the juice of the lemon.  Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. While the fennel cooks, whip the mascarpone and heavy cream in a medium mixing bowl until soft and fluffy.  Stir in the fresh herbs and season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. For the frisée salad: Combine the lemon juice, vinegar and Dijon and whisk to combine.  Slowly add the oil, whisking to form an emulsion.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Add enough dressing to the frisée to lightly coat.
5. To assemble: Spread a layer of whipped mascarpone on each baguette slice.  Top with a spoonful of the lemon-fennel marmalade.  Mound the frisée salad on top of each and sprinkle with the chive pieces.

• Category: Appetizers