Fennel risotto with ricotta & dried chilli (Risotto ai finocchi con ricotta e peperoncino)

INGREDIENTS

• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
• extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced
• 2 bulbs fennel, finely sliced, herby tops preserved
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 risotto bianco recipe
• 2 small dried chillies
• 4 tablespoons good crumbly ricotta
• zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Parmesan cheese, for grating