Regrowing Anise bulb...or is it Fennel?

I bought a veggie that was labeled Anise at the supermarket.  I've always known it as Anise, but I found out it may be a fennel bulb.  It tastes like licorice, and I love snacking on it fresh, whatever it is, lol.
Last month I started regrowing celery from a cut stalk.  I noticed my Anise had a similar stalk, so I cut it and put it in water to see if it would regrow, too.  It's hard to see in this photo, but after only 1 day, the Anise started to regrow.  You can see the tiny green spot on the otherwise flat white stalk end on the upper right hand side of the anise bulb stalk.

Regrowing Anise/fennel  from cut stalk end. 1 day's growth.

Another shot of 1 day's growth.

Regrowing Anise/fennel, after 3 days.

Regrown Anise/fennel, after  about 5 days.

Regrown Anise/fennel, after 6 days.

The Anise/fennel is growing a lot faster than the regrown celery did.  It's hard to see in these photos, but it's already starting to look like two little Anise plants.  It's absolutely amazing to me that it could regrow, and do so this quickly.  I'm going to wait a few more days, then put it in a pot with earth.  I'll provide updates.  If you try this at home, please let me know how yours does.  It's  a lot of fun, and if these ever get big enough to eat, it can help cut down on bills.

A reader asked me for recipes with fresh anise, but I didn't know of any.  I always snack on the bulb fresh...it tastes like crunchy green licorice, at a fraction of the calories.  I know spirit of Anise is used in cookies, especially Italian cookies like Genetti and Tie plates.  

I googled for fresh anise recipes, discovered the  plant my grocery store calls Anise is actually fennel, lol, and found this recipe for Carmelized Fennel. http://putneyfarm.com/2012/04/05/caramelized-fennel-the-best-fennel-youll-ever-eat/

I still have some Anise/fennel left from this cut end, so I'll give it a try and let you know how I like it.

That's it for now; take care, and have a great day!

Regrowing celery

I saw some photos on pinterest showing celery that was regrowing from a cut stalk, and decided to try it.
Here's mine a few days after putting the cut stalk in water:

Regrowing celery, after a few days

It was already coming up so nicely; I was completely amazed.  I didn't think it would work at all because the celery was half frozen and the stalk was white.  The center started turning green almost immediately after putting it in water.

Regrowing celery, after a few days

Now here's the same celery, two weeks later.  Incredible, isn't it?  It has lush bushy leaves now.

Celery regrowth after 2 weeks (I think)

Here's another shot; please excuse my dirty windows.   They're dirty between the glass, where I can't get at it. The celery is going to have to be transplanted soon because the stalk part is starting to rot from being immersed in water.

Celery regrowth after 2 weeks.

I am really enjoying watching my celery regrow. My Dad didn't believe it would regrow, until he saw mine.  Now he wants to try it too, lol.

I bought some other plants to try this with...you can sort of see the green onions off to the side.  they haven't been cut yet; I figured I'd leave them in water so they'd stay fresh, and cut the green as I need it.  I don't know if it will work, but I'll let you know.

I also bought some Anise, which has a stalk like celery.  After I eat it (it' so yummy; tastes like licorice!) I'll stick it in water to see if it will regrow, too.

I've heard lettuce will regrow, as well as onions and bok choy.  A friend of mine tried the lettuce and hers didn't work...she said it just rotted so she tossed it.