Simple Summer Dinner

One of the things we found when we opened this week's box from the CSA was fennel.  I have to be honest, I haven't used fennel that much because the flavor can be a little much for me (and Drew).  It was most recently featured prominently in a Christmas dinner a few years back via inspiration from Mario Batali - great Italian Stuffed Pork Loin.  So, I guess you could say it's been a while.

I recently came across a recipe for fennel salad that sounded interesting, but the ingredients were less than desirable for our family.  So starting from there, I went online and looked for fennel salad recipes.  Most I came across included citrus.  This was a no go for us as well, so I settled on the most simple one I could find.  This was proof that simple ingredients (if fresh), prepared simply are the best.  Here is the recipe.  I was also able to use one of the red onions from the CSA.

So once I got the salad, I decided to do simple sandwiches to go with them.  It is insanely hot and humid here this week (not normal for the desert of So. Cal.), so I didn't want to turn on the oven.  This turned out to be a simple summer dinner.  Drew especially liked the salad dressing (I used a good amount of pepper).

Are you interested in fennel?  Do you have a favorite recipe that utilizes this crazy vegetable?  Please let me know, I am going to need to some if we get any more fennel.