Fennel

[Baby_Sham]

I've not had fennel before but would like to include it in my diet, as much as possible.

Can I have some ideas please as to what to have it with, how to cook it?

[penelope2]

I grow Fennel for it's lovely aniseed taste. I don't cook it but grate it and eat it raw with salads.

[ludwig]

^ That's what I was going to say - grate it in salads

[Baby_Sham]

Growing it would be brilliant, but I've probably missed the boat for this year now (or have I?) I've just looked on Waitrose and Tesco and neither of them do it Organic, which is disappointing, so to grow my own would be ideal.

Ooh, it tastes like aniseed? That's not what I was expecting. Still, that's no bad thing. I will do as you've both suggested and have it on salads then.

[ummmm]

It's fairly mild aniseed flavour.

I griddle it. Goes well with parma ham type salads.

[Baby_Sham]

Ooh, that sounds nice.

Thanks :)

[woofgang]

any reason why you want to eat fennel?

[ummmm]

Any reason not to?

[mccfluff]

it goes well with fish

http://uktv.co.uk/food/ingredient/aid/505999

[woofgang]

no, but its a funny question..."I've never eaten it but I want to include it in my diet as much as possible"
In my experience on AB, a question phrased this was often means that the OP thinks that the food in question will aid weight loss/weight gain/skin condition/hair condition/sexual prowess or have some other unlikely outcome.

No offence intended to the OP

[ummmm]

Ohhhh...get you. I thought you were going to say it was the devils food or something.

[mccfluff]

devils food, is soggy stuff, wobbly stuff or slimey stuff

fennel is nice

[mccfluff]

its quite good for flatulence, apparently, maybe that's why babysham wants to eat as much of it as poss :-)

[Baby_Sham]

I don't think my question was "funny", but hey.
I read it's "antispasmodic", and as someone who suffers with stomach spasms, I thought it might help, and would be better than taking pills three times a day. It's also very alkaline, and I try to eat as much of that as poss, as I get major heartburn.

Hope that's cleared that up for you.

[Baby_Sham]

"maybe that's why babysham wants to eat as much of it as poss :-)"

Hush your mouth.

[shoota]

Good for causing or preventing?

[woofgang]

releasing shoota, that's why its in gripe water. Baby Sham, you might like to try fennel tea?

[mccfluff]

|There are breast enlargement herbs??????

Rich in phytoestrogens, Fennel is often used for colic, wind, irritable bowel, kidneys, spleen, liver, lungs, suppressing appetite, breast enlargement, promoting menstruation, improving digestive system, milk flow and increasing urine flow. Fennel is also commonly used to treat amenhorrea, angina, asthma, anxiety, depression, heartburn, water retention, lower blood pressure, boost libido, respiratory congestion, coughs and has been indicated for high blood pressure and to boost sexual desire.

Fennel is a useful addition to any of the Breast Enlargement herbs and has an impressive number of other health benefits.

Fennel is also commonly used to treat amenhorrea, angina, asthma, heartburn, high blood pressure and to boost sexual desire. Fennel is a mild appetite suppressant and is used to improve the kidneys, spleen, liver and lungs.

Fennel is an effective treatment for respiratory congestion and is a common ingredient in cough remedies.

It is also used for cancer patients after radiation and chemotherapy treatments to help rebuild the digestive system. Fennel relaxes the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract (making it an antispasmodic). It also helps expel gas.

It is a tested remedy for gas, acid stomach, gout, cramps, colic and spasms. Fennel seed ground and made into tea is believed to be good for snake bites, insect bites or food poisoning. Excellent for obesity. It increases the flow of urine. It is gargled for hoarseness and sore throats.

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-fennel.html

[ummmm]

I used to give it to my kids when they were baby's.

[Baby_Sham]

Bloody hell, it's a medical miracle!

Didn't realise it was good for heartburn too. That's definitely a good thing. Not sure about the sexual desire bit. Does it mean eating fennel will make you more desirable?

[Baby_Sham]

Will definitely try fennel tea. Cheers for the heads up! :)