A Perfect Late Winter Salad
I love shaved fennel and orange salad. It is the perfect late winter salad that the whole family will love. One of the best qualities is that it is highly adaptable to whatever you have on hand. You can make it solely with oranges or add grapefruit, satsumas, tangerines, or whatever other citrus fruit you like. You can add cheese, olives, onions, nuts, and a host of other ingredients depending upon what you have on hand.
My recipe starts with the base recipe and then offers you many popular variations to try. Let me know what you come up with!
Shaved Fennel and Orange Salad
PREP: 5 minutes | SERVES: 2
ingredients for the basic salad
1 fennel bulb, shaved as thin as you can
2 oranges cut into segments (supremes - see notes)
2 handfuls of arugula
1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon orange juice
sea salt and black pepper to taste
directions
Shave the fennel bulb as thinly as possible. If you own a mandolin now would be the perfect time to use it. After you cut the citrus ‘supremes’ (see notes below) squeeze any of the remaining citrus fruit to get all the juice out. Usually, this is the perfect amount for your salad. In a large bowl, toss the fennel, oranges, and arugula.
In a container combine the oil and juice. Cover and shake until well mixed, about 15 seconds. Pour over salad and toss well. Adjust seasoning to your tastes.
Maple dressing poured over a shaved fennel and orange salad, photo by Francois de Melogue
customize your salad
add a sweetener: Who doesn’t like a touch of sweetness? Try adding a teaspoon or 2 of with honey or pure Vermont maple syrup to the dressing.
add cheese: Try serving with a ball of burrata on top for added creaminess, or maybe shaved Parmesan, crumbles of feta, or whatever other cheeses you love.
add nuts: Nuts are a great way to add more crunch to the salad. Try using pistachios, toasted almond slices, walnuts, or even sunflower seeds.
notes
Supremes: Supremes is the overly fancy word for a peeled orange segment. The only difference between an orange peeled by hand then broken into segments and making supremes is that you are using a knife to cut away all the white parts (pith).
Cutting ‘supremes’ of pomelo.
