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Savor simplicity on this fast and simple Fennel Salad. Thinly sliced uncooked fennel is tossed in a easy lemon dressing and garnished with parmesan and herbs. Take pleasure in it as a lightweight and refreshing facet dish together with your favourite wholesome lunches and dinners.
This straightforward fennel salad is the proper introduction to fennel you’ve been on the lookout for. Made with thinly sliced contemporary fennel, a zesty 4-ingredient lemon dressing, and freshly grated parmesan, this fast and simple recipe is sure to turn into a staple in your wholesome facet dish routine!
Fennel’s naturally crisp, gentle licorice taste is the proper canvas for the tangy brightness of the lemon dressing and the savory richness of parmesan. All collectively, they create a standalone palate-pleasing facet dish that provides a refreshing aspect to all kinds of important dishes.
Whether or not you’re grilling hen or baking salmon for a lightweight and wholesome meal or indulging in hearty lamb chops or pulled pork, this shaved fennel salad on the facet immediately turns the meal right into a masterpiece.
Recipe options
- Minimal effort = most taste! This salad is so simple as tossing thinly sliced contemporary fennel in a citrus fennel salad dressing and garnishing with parmesan cheese and herbs.
- Past its subtle flavors, this salad with fennel is a superb supply of polyphenol antioxidants to assist coronary heart well being and blood sugar, has a protracted checklist of nutritional vitamins and minerals, and is of course gluten-free and simple to make vegan.
- This salad is not a one-trick pony. Take pleasure in it as a lightweight lunch, a refreshing complement to wholesome dinners, or add it to different meals, like grain bowls or tacos.
Components
Fennel – This crisp salad vegetable has a bulbous base, celery-like stalks, and feathery fronds and is in season all through fall, winter, and early spring. With a gentle licorice taste and crisp texture, fennel is an effective way so as to add freshness and complexity to salads, soups, and extra. While you’re buying, search for fennel with agency bulbs and contemporary stalks and fronds.
Olive oil – Select a high-quality additional virgin olive oil to make the straightforward but wealthy and flavorful dressing.
Lemon juice and zest – This duo provides a refreshing citrusy taste to the dressing to enrich the gentle licorice notes of the fennel. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest for one of the best outcomes.
Parmesan – Use freshly grated parmesan or shave it from the block your self for one of the best taste.
Recent herbs – A medley of freshly chopped tender herbs, like parsley, basil, or dill, are sprinkled over the completed salad. Attempt to not exchange these with dried herbs since they aren’t as flavorful as contemporary herbs.
Directions
Step 1: Make the dressing. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper collectively in a small bowl or jar.
Step 2: Marinate the fennel. Place the shaved fennel in a big bowl, pour the dressing over high, and toss to mix. Let it sit for quarter-hour to marinate.
Step 3: Plate, garnish, and serve. Switch the salad to a serving platter and sprinkle the parmesan and contemporary herbs over high. Take pleasure in!
Ideas and FAQs
- Make the salad dressing 2 to three days forward of time if it’s good to assemble the completed salad in a rush. Maintain it in a sealed jar within the fridge till it’s time to marinate the fennel.
- Style the salad earlier than serving. Add extra salt, pepper, or lemon as wanted to steadiness the flavors to your liking.
Tip
Do not waste the fennel fronds! You’ll be able to finely chop these feathery inexperienced tops and sprinkle them over the salad simply earlier than serving for a vibrant garnish.
Variations
- Add one other vegetable – Add thinly sliced beets, celeriac, turnips, parsnips, carrots, or cabbage to the salad for extra coloration and texture.
- Incorporate contemporary fruit – Make a pear and fennel salad or introduce a burst of sweetness with fruits like pomegranate seeds or thinly sliced apples to enrich the fennel’s gentle licorice taste.
- Bulk it up with greens – Gently toss the fennel with contemporary leafy greens, like arugula, radicchio, endive, spinach, or watercress, earlier than serving.
- Citrus twist – Swap the lemon juice/zest within the dressing with orange juice/zest, grapefruit juice/zest, or a mixture of contemporary citrus flavors. The brightness of those fruits pairs fantastically with fennel.
- As an alternative of parmesan – Attempt crumbled feta, goat cheese, or burrata for a creamy, tangy kick.
- Garnish with nuts – Toss the salad with toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for additional crunch and nuttiness in every chew.
- Dairy-free – Exchange the parmesan with dietary yeast, vegan parmesan, or vegan cashew cheese.
Serving recommendations
This versatile fennel salad provides a refreshing distinction to heavier, boldly-flavored important dishes, like baked harissa hen, grilled mango hen, Cajun salmon, and air fryer tilapia.
It’s additionally scrumptious when served as a crisp and tangy topping on wholesome grain bowls, like a Mediterranean lamb bowl or autumn harvest bowl. Alternatively, stuff it into salmon or shrimp tacos once they might use a success of refreshment!
Are you able to eat fennel uncooked in salads?
Completely! Fennel might be loved each uncooked and cooked. When uncooked fennel is added to salads, its crunchy texture and refreshing style shine!
Does fennel salad style like licorice?
Sure, the pure anise taste in fennel does give this salad a delicate licorice taste (along with its candy, crisp, and fragrant notes). Its pure flavors are tied along with the lemon dressing, making a well-balanced, tangy, and savory dish.
How do I lower fennel for a salad?
To begin, chop off the stalks with a pointy knife. Peel away any outer layers of the fennel bulb that appear powerful or discolored. From there, lower the bulb in half lengthwise, take away the core, and slice it into skinny, uniform slices. To hurry up the method and obtain constant slices, fastidiously use a mandoline as an alternative of a knife.
Storing
Fridge: You’ll be able to refrigerate the leftover fennel salad in an hermetic container for 1 to 2 days.
Extra easy salad recipes
In the event you made this Mediterranean fennel salad recipe, be sure you go away a remark and star ranking under. Thanks!
Fennel Salad
Savor simplicity on this fast and simple Fennel Salad. Thinly sliced uncooked fennel is tossed in a easy lemon dressing and garnished with parmesan and herbs. Take pleasure in it as a lightweight and refreshing facet dish together with your favourite wholesome lunches and dinners.
Servings:
Components
- 2 fennel bulbs thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- juice from 1 lemon
- zest from ½ lemon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- black pepper to style
- 2 tablespoon shaved or freshly grated parmesan non-compulsory
- non-compulsory garnishes: contemporary parsley, basil or dill
Directions
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Place the fennel in a big bowl.
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Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper collectively, then pour the dressing over the fennel and toss to mix. Let the combination sit for at the very least quarter-hour so the fennel can take in the flavour.
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Switch the fennel to a serving platter, sprinkle with cheese and revel in!
Notes
*Energy are per serving and are an estimation.
Diet
Serving: 1g | Energy: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 11g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 8g | Ldl cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg
