Looking for a crisp and palate-cleansing salad to complement your main dishes? This Shaved Fennel Salad is the ideal choice, offering a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Simple, yet packed with goodness, this salad features fresh fennel, tangy green apple, and savory Parmesan cheese, all harmoniously dressed with a zesty lemon-Dijon vinaigrette.
How to eat winter greens
Bitter winter greens, such as fennel and endive, bring a robust and distinctive flavor profile to the table. The earthy bitterness of these greens adds depth to salads, providing a complex and satisfying taste. Pairing them with something sweet like crisp apples or juicy pears not only balances the bitterness but also creates a delightful contrast. The natural sweetness of the fruits harmonizes with the bitter notes, resulting in a well-rounded and flavorful combination that transforms a simple salad into a culinary experience.
Ingredients for Shaved Fennel Salad
Fennel: Fennel contributes a unique crunch and subtle licorice-like flavor to the salad. It’s rich in fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants, adding a refreshing and healthful element to your dish.
Arugula: The arugula adds a peppery bite to the salad and like the fennel, is rich in a variety of vitamins. Specifically Vitamins K, A, C, and B. It’s one of the healthiest greens you can add to a dish!
Parmesan Cheese: The Parmesan cheese brings a salty and umami depth, balancing the sweetness of the apple and the mild licorice notes of the fennel.
Green Apple: Green apple provides a crisp and juicy texture to the salad, while its tartness adds a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the fennel. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, the apple also elevates the nutritional value of the dish.
Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the salad with a burst of citrusy freshness. The acidity not only enhances the overall taste but also prevents the apple from browning, keeping the salad vibrant and appealing.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil serves as the base for the vinaigrette. Its rich, fruity flavor complements the other ingredients while offering heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a subtle kick and a hint of spiciness to the vinaigrette. Its emulsifying properties also help create a cohesive dressing that coats the salad components evenly.
What to serve shaved fennel salad with
The Shaved Fennel Salad’s versatile profile makes it an excellent companion to a variety of main dishes. Consider serving it alongside:
A meaty protein that can withstand the robust flavors of fennel. I’d suggest either Flank steak with Chimichurri or Pork Chops with Spicy Fig Sauce
Another good option would be to fully embrace the winter produce and eat it alongside something comforting like Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup, or Creamy Rosemary Orzo with Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix together the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Set aside.
- Use a mandolin for best results. Cut the core out of the fennel bulb and shave the fennel into ⅛ inch slices. Add to a bowl along with arugula, sliced apple, and shaved parmesan.
- Add the dressing to the salad. Toss to combine. Add extra fresh cracked black pepper and extra fennel fronds to garnish.
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