Garlic-Roasted Potatoes and Fennel

Ingredients

• 2 large fennel bulbs with stalks, (about 2 pounds)
• 2 pounds small red potatoes, halved
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 whole garlic head
• 2 large green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika or sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/8 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375°.
2. Trim tough outer leaves from fennel; reserve fennel fronds for garnish, if desired. Remove and discard stalks. Cut fennel bulbs in half lengthwise; discard core. Cut bulb halves in half lengthwise.
3. Arrange potatoes in a single layer in a jelly roll pan or large roasting pan coated with cooking spray; drizzle with oil. Remove white papery skin from garlic head. Separate and peel cloves. Finely chop 1 garlic clove; sprinkle over potatoes. Add peeled garlic cloves, pepper strips, fennel seeds, coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper to potatoes; toss well to combine.
4. Heat broth in a small saucepan over medium heat until warm. Remove from heat; stir in saffron. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar; drizzle broth mixture over potato mixture. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and arrange fennel wedges over potato mixture. Return to oven; cook an additional 50 minutes or until the broth mixture almost evaporates and potatoes begin to brown, stirring once. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds, if desired.