Description
Ina Garten’s fennel orange salad combines crisp fennel with sweet citrus in a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired dish. Delicate slices of anise-flavored fennel mingle with bright orange segments, creating a light and elegant salad you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) fennel bulbs
- 3–4 oranges
- 2 lemons, juiced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 2 oz (57 g) arugula
- kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fennel Preparation: Trim the fennel bulbs, removing stalks and core. Slice into translucent, uniform strips using a mandoline or sharp knife for precision.
- Citrus Processing: Peel oranges completely, eliminating all white pith. Create elegant, thin semi-circular slices that highlight the fruit’s vibrant essence.
- Vinaigrette Crafting: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, cracked black pepper, and kosher salt in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes a smooth, harmonious blend.
- Salad Assembly: Combine sliced fennel, orange segments, and peppery arugula in a spacious serving bowl. Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette, gently folding to coat ingredients without compromising their delicate structure.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with reserved fennel fronds, adding a final sprinkle of kosher salt to amplify the salad’s complex flavor profile. Serve immediately to maintain the crisp texture and vibrant citrus notes.
Notes
- Precise Fennel Cutting: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create thin, uniform strips, avoiding thick or uneven pieces that can compromise the salad’s delicate texture.
- Orange Peeling Technique: Remove all white pith meticulously to prevent bitterness and ensure clean, pure citrus flavor in each bite.
- Vinaigrette Balancing: Whisk olive oil and lemon juice thoroughly to create a seamless emulsion that coats ingredients evenly without overwhelming the delicate fennel and orange.
- Serving Freshness: Prepare and serve immediately to maintain the crisp texture of fennel and the bright, juicy character of oranges, preventing wilting or soggy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg