Il Cucinologo
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Pennette with Fennel Cream, Squid, and Mullet

17/11/2023

Here is the recipe for delicious pennette with fennel cream, squid, and mullet, with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

  • 320 g pennette
  • 1 large fennel
  • 300 g cleaned squid
  • 2 medium-sized mullet, already gutted and cleaned
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Vegetable or fish stock to taste
  • Dry white wine to taste
  • Grated lemon zest (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by slicing the fennel into thin strips and stew it in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and the garlic clove. Cook until the fennel becomes tender, adding a little stock from time to time to prevent it from drying out too much.

  2. Meanwhile, clean the squid and cut it into rings or strips. If you prefer, you can leave the tentacles whole for a more rustic presentation.

  3. Remove the skin from the mullet and fillet them, trying to avoid the bones. Cut the fillets into pieces that are not too large.

  4. Once the fennel is tender, remove the garlic and blend everything with an immersion blender, adding enough vegetable stock to obtain a smooth and velvety cream. Adjust with salt and pepper.

  5. Cook the pennette in plenty of salted water following the times indicated on the package to achieve al dente cooking.

  6. In another pan, sauté the squid with a drizzle of oil and a garlic clove. Deglaze with a splash of white wine and let it evaporate. Then add the mullet fillets and cook for a few minutes, until they are cooked but still tender.

  7. Combine the fennel cream with the squid and mullet, mixing everything carefully.

  8. Drain the pennette and combine them with the sauce in the pan. Toss over low heat if necessary, adding a little cooking water if it is too thick.

  9. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and, if you like, a little grated lemon zest to add a fresh and aromatic note.

Remember that you can always customize the recipe to your liking, for example, you could add a touch of cream to the blended fennel for an even richer cream or replace the mullet with another type of firm-fleshed fish.

Enjoy your meal!