Apple and Fennel Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Recipe Description:

Really one of my favorite salads. Surprisingly, many people don’t ever try fennel because they have no idea what to do with it, others only know how to braise it. Fennel has a delicate anise flavor which goes really well with the sweet apples. Add in a little bacon and you’ve got yourself one fancy-shmancy salad that’s difficult to stop eating.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Servings: 4 large portions

Difficulty: Easy

Recipe Ingredients:

4 slices nitrate-free bacon

2 fennel bulbs

2 large Gala apples

Juice from 1 large lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard

unrefined sea salt

Recipe Instructions:

Heat a heavy bottomed skillet on low heat. Cook the bacon until done to desired crispiness. It's important to cook it on low to render out as much of the fat as possible. Remove the bacon and allow to cool before crumbling or dicing. Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together the bacon fat, mustard and lemon juice. Add a dash of salt. Whisk until the vinaigrette turns pale and an emulsion forms. Set aside.

Cut off the root area of the fennel bulbs and trim off any protruding stems. You can reserve any of the foliage to use as a pretty and edible garnish. Cut the bulbs in half lengthwise and then lay the halves down on the cutting board, cut side down. Thinly slice the bulbs from the top end to the root end. I cheated and used my food processor. Place into a large bowl.

Core and quarter the apples. Thinly slice. Place in large bowl along with fennel.

Drizzle prepared bacon vinaigrette over the apples and fennel. Toss to coat. Garnish with fennel foliage if desired. Serve at room temperature. Not too good refrigerated as the bacon fat solidifies. Ew.

2 thoughts on “Apple and Fennel Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette”

Hey there!
I’m adding this to my Thanksgiving menu this year! Do you think it would hold if I made it a day ahead of time then warmed it to room temp?

Eat Nourishing Admin says:

November 25, 2012 at 11:28 am

Hi heather! Sorry I missed this until now. I’m not sure how it would hold up being cold and then back to room temp. I always have served it freshly prepared. Let us know I you ended up trying it!

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Recipe Description:

Recipe Ingredients:

Recipe Instructions:

2 thoughts on “Apple and Fennel Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette”

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