Fennel Seed Drop-Biscuits – A Random Recipe

Dom of Belleau Kitchen has introduced a little twist into his Random Recipe challenge for this month, namely that we should randomly select from someone else’s books rather than our own. So I borrowed a recently published, glossy cookbook by a well-known author.

And then it all went wrong. Most of the offerings in the book turned out to be rehashes of well-known recipes. That was disappointing enough, but then I started to spot errors, such as ingredients listed but not mentioned in the method and vice versa. But it was the book’s endless gush of self-congratulation that meant I really couldn't face selecting one of the recipes for the challenge. My mother always told me that if I can't say anything nice, then I should shut up. So I returned the book from whence it came while smiling sweetly and looking grateful.

While thinking what to do instead I realised that there was a book which I’d borrowed some time ago and, errm, which still seemed to be on my shelf. So I randomly opened ‘Indian Food Made Easy’ by Anjum Anand (a very much better book than the rejected effort) and found the recipe for Fennel Seed Drop-Biscuits. To be honest, there are three recipes on the selected page, but, since I'm deeply fond of the taste of fennel, I just couldn't resist this one.
Fennel Seed Drop-Biscuits
I do remember the original TV series, but, for some reason, I don’t remember this recipe. I'm happy to say that it’s simple and very tasty. Although inspired by a deep-fried and probably more complicated original, these are essentially sweet and fragrant drop scones. Like pancakes, it’s one of those recipes that’s just plain good fun to put together in a warm kitchen on a cold winter’s day.

You can find the recipe on the BBC site here.

Comments

  1. so funny... did you steal the first book and then put it back on the shelf?... i love Anjum and I have this book and so will no doubt be making these at some point, they do look very very good and really rather naughty... perfect for the diet eh?... thanks so much for entering Phil... much appreciated x

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    1. I promise that I've done nothing illegal or even slightly naughty. These biscuits/scones are a lot healthier than a deep-fried version soaked in a sugar syrup, but they're still not ideal for the diet, I'm afraid.

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  2. These look delicious.
    And go on....please do tell whose book it was that you rejected. Or if not, please give us a clue. I have a suspicion - could it be the initials JM ??!!

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    1. You can't mean that bloke who spends his time driving fast cars and appearing on TV? He doesn't have time to write cookbooks, surely? I'm sorry, but a gentleman will always refrain from saying too much and I'm pretending to be a gentleman.

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  3. I borrowed an Anjum Anand book out of the library not so long ago and was very impressed. These biscuits look great.

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    1. I do like Ms A's approach to cooking and I do recommend this little fennel treat for something sweet that's just a bit different.

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  4. Haha, now have an image of you smiling obsequiously then dashing back to your cookbook stash. Do tell whose the rejected book was. Really like the idea of these fennel flavoured drop scones, but despite my love of Indian food, I know nothing about Anjum.

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    1. I won't pretend that I'd want to make every recipe from her books, but I really do like the way that Ms Anand develops practical and generally healthy recipes that deliver good results without too much fuss. The fact that I've still got the book proves that I suppose. Her cheat's version of semolina cake is well worth a look, for instance.

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  5. I'm going to have to join the chorus of 'Tell us! Tell us! I'm afraid Phil. Lovely flavour adding the fennel to the biscuits- great random recipe!

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    1. The sweet fennel taste may not appeal to everyone, but I love it. I'm maintaining my dignified silence on the offending book. You could try asking me after I've had a few refreshing drinks, though.

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  7. Shows how often I watch TV, I don't even know who Anjum Anand is. For all that I like the sound of these drop biscuits. Will wait though until I have dropped a few pounds before I try them. Diane

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  8. I loved the look at these, so delicious; haven't used fennel seeds before, now I look forward to giving it a go - thanks Phil.

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  9. I would love to have this now for breakfast with some coddled eggs. They look really nice and yes perfect for a cold winter's day : )

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  10. Anjum Anand's recipes are fabulous, well, all the ones I have tried have gone really well. Sadly, I am the only person in this house who actively likes fennel though I consider myself special because of it. Maybe I could bake a batch of these and have a secret stash somewhere or other.

    Put me on the list of people who want to know which cookbook you jibbed. Very curious!

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  11. Ooh these sound very yummy. The Chap doesn't like aniseedy flavours so I might just have to munch my way through a batch all on my own. :-)
    Also interested to know which book it was that was rejected - more in the spirit of not wanting to waste my money an a book full of re-hashes and errors though?

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  12. I love fennel seeds - these sound delicious! And intriguingly different. I'm sick of making endless batches of pancakes for my daughter - these could expand my repertoire!

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  13. Mmmmm. These look brilliant. Big fan of fennel the veg, the fond and the seed.
    No idea who you are referring to regarding the first book but am intrigued. Going to go search the Internet for clues. I don't watch much TV so I may not really know the person.

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    1. Well, I'm maintaining a dignified silence but, for what it's worth, my advice is never trust a cook in an expensive suit.

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