Food for stressful days

Some days are stressful enough. A lot of people have take out on these days because it's stressful for them to think about dinner and to make it. Call me nuts, and some people have :), but I'm the total opposite. Cooking is stress relieving and calming to me. I'm lucky that my children are not picky and I love to try new food. Fennel has been a long time favorite of mine and this recipe is very simple with a minimum of prep time. I found it in this book

Pasta with golden Fennel

2 or 3 large fennel bulbs, including the greens
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 galic clove, minced
3/4 to 1 lb fettuccine
Parmigiano-Reggiano or dry Monterey Jack cheese

_ Slice the fennel thinly. Heat water for the pasta.
_ Melt 1tbsp of the butter with the olive oil in a wide skillet. Add the fennel and saute over high heat, stirring occasionally, until brownd in places, 7 to 10 mns. Season with 1 tsp salt. Toss with the lemon juice, then add 1 cup water. Reduce the heat and cook, covered, until the liquid has evaporated. Add another 1/2 cup water and continue cooking in this fashion until the fennel is very soft and deep gold in color, about 25 mns in all. Season with pepper. Chop a handful of fennel greens ( about 1/3 cup) with the garlic and lemon zest and set aside.
_ Add the cooked pasta to the fennel. Add the chopped greens.

Serve with the grated cheese.
It's melt in your mouth delicious.

Bon appetit!