Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Fennel, Orange, and Arugula Salad

Fennel, Orange, and Arugula Salad

Colorful and tasty, this salad makes an excellent winter starter

It’s peak citrus time in our part of the world. Fortunately, oranges fit in everywhere, right?

Especially salads. In this one, orange slices cavort with the anise-like flavor of fennel and the peppery goodness of arugula.

The result? A winter wonderplate.





Recipe: Fennel, Orange, and Arugula Salad

You can use any kind of orange you like in this salad. We often use ordinary navel oranges. When blood oranges are in season (and they soon will be), we like to use them. Mandarins also work well in this dish.

When we plate the salad, we like to layer the ingredients: First we plate the arugula, then the fennel, and finally the oranges. But you can mix everything together if you prefer.

This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare. It yields 4 to 6 first-course servings.

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or wine vinegar; see Notes)
  • salt to taste (a couple pinches of kosher salt for us; see Notes)
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste (half a dozen grinds for us)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
For the salad:
  • ~2 pounds fennel (to taste)
  • 3 to 4 oranges (to taste)
  • ~5 ounces arugula
Procedure
  1. First make the vinaigrette: Peel the garlic clove and mince it finely, then place the pieces in a small lidded container. Add the other ingredients (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard). Make sure the lid is firmly closed, then shake the container well to combine the ingredients. (You can make the vinaigrette an hour or two ahead of time. Just store it in the refrigerator until ready to use, then shake it again right before adding it to the salad.)
  2. Now prepare the salad: Rinse the fennel and remove the stalks and green tops. Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, slice off the root ends of the fennel bulbs. If the outer part of a fennel bulb is tough, remove it. Cut each fennel bulb in half, then cut the halves into very thin slices. Set aside.
  3. Peel the oranges, remove their white membranes, then cut each orange into sections. Set aside.
  4. Wash and dry the arugula, then place it in a large mixing bowl. Add about one third of the vinaigrette, then toss to combine. Plate the arugula.
  5. Toss the fennel slices with another one third of the vinaigrette. Layer the fennel slices over the arugula.
  6. Toss the orange slices with the remaining the vinaigrette. Distribute the slices over the fennel and arugula. 
  7. Serve and enjoy.
Fennel, Orange, and Arugula Salad

Notes
  • We sometimes combine Steps 5 and 6 of the Procedure (tossing the fennel and oranges together).
  • You could add some slices of red onion to this salad for extra zip.
  • Black olives or chopped walnuts would also make nice additions.
  • We like to use balsamic vinegar in this salad, but wine vinegar would also work. Or you could try lemon juice.
  • Use good-quality extra-virgin olive oil, because the flavor of the oil stands out in this salad. You could also substitute another lightly flavored oil, such as walnut oil.
  • You can add fresh herbs to this salad if you wish. Parsley, fresh thyme, or dill would be ideal.
  • We use kosher salt for cooking. It’s less salty by volume than regular table salt (because the flakes are coarser, so they don’t pack a measure as tightly). If substituting regular table salt, start with about half the amount we suggest. But always season to your taste, not ours.
Fennel, Orange, and Arugula Salad

Toss to Combine

“Wonderful salad,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Makes me happy to see winter arrive.”

“It’s pretty good,” I agreed. “Orange you glad I made this?”

“Are you going to squeeze all the puns you can out of this?” said Mrs K R.

“Hey, I’m just arugula guy, trying to get along in the kitchen,” I said.

“This is your fennel warning,” said Mrs K R.

Right, better stop now. Too much vinegar.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Moroccan-Spiced Orange and Olive Salad
Moroccan Orange and Radish Salad
Shaved Fennel Salad
Italian Celery and Mushroom Salad
French-Style Braised Lettuce and PEas
Asparagus with Savory Whipped Cream
Or check out the index for more

66 comments:

Mae Travels said...

Oranges and mandarins, as you mention, are the best flavors for winter salads -- adding the more bitter flavors as here would set the sweetness off nicely!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, love winter salads! And the fennel and arugula really are such a nice pairing with orange. Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Even though it is a winter salad, it feels like summer! I am a huge fennel bulb fan and it would be gorgeous with blood orange when they are out.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, fennel is SO good, isn't it? Love the stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert said...

You put together some amazingly beautiful salads John. So light and delicious, with a great flavor combo! Very nice.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, this is a terrific salad! You could also make this into a main course salad by adding some ham. Sounds weird, but the flavors work really well together. Ask me how I know. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

Yum! Great combination of flavors.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats said...

Oh man! No cooking the fennel?! I can't do it raw, that's for sure - but cooked, sign this girl UP!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, slice the fennel thinly and it's wonderful when raw. Be fun to saute it, though, and use it in this recipe. Have to give that a try! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Anne in the kitchen said...

I love love love fennel! This sounds fantastic!

Angie's Recipes said...

A great combo of flavours for a beautiful and delicious winter salad! I too love fennel raw., John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, fennel is wonderful, isn't it? A real favorite of ours! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, raw fennel has terrific flavor and texture. Not to mention crunch. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dahn @savorthebest said...

this sounds great, I have a box of mandarins and this is a perfect use for some of them.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, mandarins are always so nice at this time of the year! And they work really well in this dish. Thanks for the comment.

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

I have made a similar salad to this and it truly is one of my favorites. I'm a big fennel fan and feel like it's underrated.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lea Ann, fennel definitely is underrated. Such good stuff, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

Simple yet the colors can bright any table.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, simple suits us. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Merryn said...

How wonderful, I love anything fennel and with the sweet orange and peppery rocket it would definitely shine. You're not really just arugula guy. Thanks for the laugh and this fabulous recipe 8)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, :-) This is a terrific salad -- enjoy! Thanks for the comment.

Mackay Sherry said...

This looks very refreshing. Fennel is a bit of an outsider I think. Not many people use it here unless they're of European extraction:) arugula? So hard to say. I’m glad we call it rocket. Cheers sherry x

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

This is a great salad John. I made one like this not too long ago and it tasted so fresh and good!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

I LOOOOVVVVEEE fennel + citrus together - what a lovely salad!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, rocket is definitely easier to say than arugula! And most people in the US don't use fennel either. Too bad -- it's such good stuff! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, I LOVE this combo of flavors! Great way to use oranges. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, great combo, huh? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

Ooooohhh I can almost taste this already, and it's wonderful! Oranges and fennel belong together don't they?

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, orange and fennel definitely belong together! Thanks for the comment.

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

The bright orange flavor and color is just the pop of flavor we need this winter. A wonderful salad to balance all the rich food of the holidays.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, we love this recipe at this time of the year exactly because it's such a nice counterbalance to all the rich food. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Fabulous side dish for our Italian Feast of the 7 fishes!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, oh, this would be really nice for that! Love the seafood/fennel combo. :-) Thanks for the comment.

amira said...

Oh this really looks wonderful and bright.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, it is, it is. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

I love citrus season and love putting them in salads. Your combination of fennel and orange sounds delicious and what a simple complementary vinaigrette. Nice simple salad for a holiday meal. Thanks John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, citrus season is terrific, isn't it? Love it! Love this salad, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

This is a wonderful salad , I especially like the fennel citrus combination . There is nothing better than a light tasty salad like this with a heavy holiday meal. Thanks John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, citrus and fennel is definitely a swell match. So nice, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

So loving this layered orange, fennel, winter salad! And that garlicy balsamic vinaigrette pulls it together so beautifully!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Shashi, that vinaigrette is great. As is the salad. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

Great combination of flavors here! It's always a bit tricky for me working with those fat, old fennel bulbs. I like to get the fennel sliced real thinly- almost like a julienne.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, you really need a VERY sharp knife when slicing fennel. Or use a slicer of some sort, but I"m always too lazy, and pull out my knife. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Cute repartĂ©e, you two! Puns ‘r us!

The salad looks fantastic... if you like black olives, I recommend adding a few to the salad in slivers...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, we do have a weakness for really bad puns. :-) Black olive slivers would be ideal on this, you're right. Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

I'd call this a plate of (delicious) winter sunshine! GREG

Jeff the Chef said...

How refreshing! This be a nice salad to serve as a prelude to Christmas dinner.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, and we can all use sunshine, yes? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, definitely refreshing. And tasty. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

Beautiful salad John, the combination of arugula and orange with fennel just look so refreshing...you are the one that introduced me to fennel salad...now I need to try this version. Thanks for the recipe...enjoy your weekend!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, fennel is so good in a salad, isn't it? Enjoy this one! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ron said...

How could one go wrong with that flavor combination. Sound refreshing and very yummy. We're getting some really nice Greek oranges in our market just now, so this one will be made soon.

Natalia said...

Simple, yet sophisticated, love the idea☺

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, it's truly a delish dish -- nice, fun flavor. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, isn't this nice? We love this flavor combo! Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

Fennel and orange are a winning combo. Fresh, tangy-bright, with just the right amount of anise, this is a salad that goes with anything and everything.

Valentina said...

I really love citrus season, and I'm just starting to see more and more in the markets. This is such a lovely winter salad. Love the term "wonderplate" by the way. :-)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, it's a terrific starter, that's for sure. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, :-) And agree that citrus season is terrific! Thanks for the comment.

Emma @ Bake Then Eat said...

What a wonderful fresh way to start any meal.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Emma, this really is a delightful salad! Thanks for the comment.

Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE every element of this salad, John! What a great way to eat yourself out of the winter doldrums. I feel healthy just looking at it! ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, great flavor and really healthy -- perfect! Pretty, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

Fennel and oranges are a great combination! Thanks for the reminder!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, they are a really great combo, aren't they? Thanks for the comment.