Minestrone Bisque with cracked fennel

Method

1. Gather and prep everything first: yellow onion, garlic, vegetable stock and set within reach of the stove.
2. Set a wide pan over medium heat and sweat the yellow onion in a little butter until translucent.
3. Turn the heat up, add the minestrone, and cook until deeply browned and aromatic.
4. Stir in the black pepper along with a good pinch of salt, scraping up anything stuck to the bottom of the pan.
5. Add the vegetable stock and let it reduce until it just coats the back of a spoon.
6. Taste and adjust, then finish with a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
7. Serve warm, ideally with something to soak up the sauce.