CREAMED PEARL ONIONS AND FENNEL WITH CRISPY SPICED BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 400ºF. Brush a 2-qt. gratin or baking dish, preferably oval or rectangular, with 1/2 Tbsp. butter.
• Cut fennel bulb and stems into 1/4" pieces. Finely chop 2 Tbsp. fennel fronds; set aside.
• Combine onions, fennel bulb and stems, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 3/4 cup water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 5 minutes. Drain onion mixture, pat dry, and transfer to prepared dish.
• Bring cream and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, then pour over onion mixture. Bake 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine orange zest, breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, black pepper, red pepper flakes, reserved fennel fronds, 1/2 tsp. salt, and remaining 3 1/2 Tbsp. melted butter in a medium bowl.
• Remove onion mixture from oven and top with breadcrumb mixture. Return to oven and continue baking until breadcrumbs are deep golden brown and cream is bubbling around the edges, 25-30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.