Fennel makes a very delicate salad when sliced paper thin. It can be difficult to cut the fennel very thinly with a knife, so instead I reach for my plastic Japanese mandoline. But watch your fingertips and use the guard!–Alice Waters
LC Simple Is As Simple Does Note
Alice Waters certainly chose an apt title for the cookbook in which this recipe is found, which is The Art of Simple Food. But make no mistake, simple ought not be assumed to be unsophisticated. At least not when Ms. Waters is at the helm. Don’t overlook the subtle variations that she suggests, found beneath the recipe.
Shaved Fennel Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 fennel bulbs
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- Finely grated zest of 1/4 lemon, preferably organic
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chopped fennel tops
Directions
- 1. Trim the tops and root ends from the fennel bulbs, saving a few feathery leaves for garnish. Pull off and discard any discolored or dehydrated outer layers.
- 2. Stir together the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the oil. Taste and adjust as needed with salt and lemon juice to taste.
- 3. When ready to serve, thinly slice the fennel crosswise. (A small Japanese mandoline makes this job easy and gives pretty results.)
- 4. Toss the fennel with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you like, garnish with a teaspoon of the chopped reserved feathery leaves.
Salad Variations
- Parmesan cheese curls, sliced with a vegetable peeler, make a wonderful garnish.
- Use Meyer lemons when available and double the amount of zest.
- Add 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped green olives to the dressing.
- Mix 2 tablespoons parsley leaves in with the fennel.
- Sweet peppers, celery, and radishes can be sliced and tossed with the fennel (singly or all together).
Hungry for more? Chow down on these:
- Braised Fennel from Herbivoracious
- Fennel Mushrooms from 101 Cookbooks
- Arugula, Fennel, and Orange Salad from Leite's Culinaria
- Fennel Baked in Cream from Leite's Culinaria
Shaved Fennel Salad Recipe © 2007 Alice Waters. All rights reserved.
[Emily Olson] Looking for a no-cook dish to take to an outdoor party, I read this recipe and set out to the market to buy the veggies. The salad is easy to prepare, full of flavor, and doesn’t require an oven or turning on the stove. Using a mandoline does aid in getting the veggies prepped faster, so I’d recommend one. I liked the crunchiness of the fresh fennel. Per the recipe, I added parsley, chives, cherry tomatoes, and sweet red peppers for some added bulk.