[believer]

I have problems digesting beans and lentils. I have soaked them, rinsed them, and cooked them with kombu, skimmed the foam and done everything I have heard of to help, but still get gas from anything other than a very small amount of beans, lentils, hummus etc...
I have often cooked with fennel, but in smaller amounts than this recipe called for.
I made Lentil and Mushroom Tagine from the Whole Foods Market Cookbook. I did not follow the recipe exactly - I usually never follow recipes exactly - but it called for 2 cups of lentils and 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds. I did soak the lentils overnight because I had to be at work at 6 am so I cut up the veggies and put them with the seasoning and some water and the rinsed lentils in the fridge for dh to just put in the crockpot in the morning along with the veggie broth and can of tomatoes.
I have a mortar and pestle (got it cheap at Ross a few months ago and I love it) so I crushed the fennel some and that soaked overnight with it.
The lentil stew or tagine (whatever that means) was fantastic - and I had no tummy trouble.
I thought it was a lot of fennel to use and you could definitely taste the fennel, but it was yummy and easy on the tummy.
Just though I would share that in case other people may want to try it.