Author Notes
I have made this salad for many potlucks including a Christmas Eve gathering; it is my adaptation of one from Isa in San Francisco, published in Bon Appetit in 2004. I like to let the apple, fennel and cherries marinate in the vinaigrette before arranging over the greens.
—Sadassa_Ulna
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Ingredients
- Vinaigrette
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2/3 cup
extra virgin olive oil
-
1/4 cup
lemon juice
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3/4 teaspoon
lemon zest
-
1/2 teaspoon
salt
-
black pepper to taste
- Greens
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1/2
large (or most of a small head Green Leaf Lettuce
-
3 cups
arugula
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1/2
large (or one small) fennel bulb
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1-1/2
apples, any eating variety
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2
clementines, optional
-
1/3 cup
dried cherries, chopped
-
1/2
Vidalia or other sweet onion
Directions
-
In a medium bowl whisk all vinaigrette ingredients.
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Slice fennel very thin, and cut apple into matchsticks and add to vinaigrette; add cherries also. This can sit for a half hour or so.
-
Wash and spin (or blot) dry green leaf lettuce; tear into bite-size pieces. Wash and dry the arugula and tear (or trim) off stems. Arrange in a large salad bowl [or individual bowls if desired].
-
Cut onion into thin slices and "sprinkle" over greens to de-chunk. If using clementines, peel and cut into halves (remove any seeds if you find any); arrange over onions.
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Use a slotted spoon to arrange apple mixture over the greens; whisk remaining liquid if it starts to separate. If salad is to be made ahead of time, store remaining liquid in a lidded container and shake well before pouring over greens.
Growing up I was the world's pickiest eater, that is, until my children were born. Karma. Neither of my parents were much into cooking; it was the height of eating fat-free or anything with oat bran added. I taught myself some basics, mostly baking, following the guidelines of a well-worn copy of Joy of Cooking. I was a ballet dancer and a teacher suggested I lose weight. As I began reading about diet and nutrition I became interested in natural foods, which led to a job at a macrobiotic natural foods market in Center City Philadelphia; this was way before Whole Foods came to the area. I learned a lot about food in general. I ate strictly vegan for a while, although I don't now, but I still like it when a recipe can taste great without butter or bacon! In short, my approach to cooking is idiosyncratic, and I don't know very much about cooking meat or proper technique. I love to bake and I am still working on expanding my palate and my repertoire. The hardest part is getting the whole family to try new things!
So aside from my food status, I am an architect who likes to garden and play music. I'm married with two kids, and I hope to get a dog someday.
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