Author Notes
Asian Pears, or "nashi," are my favorite fruit for their crisp sweetness and I ate them by the bushel when I lived in Japan. However, they are pretty dear in the US so I save them for a special treat or try to maximize their pleasure, such as in this refreshing salad. The nashi and fennel are sliced thinly with a mandolin, so one nashi can serve 4 or 5 people. I add creamy goat cheese and toasted pralines to compliment the bite of the fennel and sweetness of the nashi. —lloreen
Ingredients
- Salad
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1
large fennel bulb, leaves included if possible
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1
Asian pear, pealed
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1/4 cup
pralines
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1/4 cup
goat cheese, crumbled
- Dressing
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1 tablespoon
fresh tarragon (or thyme)
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1 tablespoon
lemon juice
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.5 teaspoons
grated lemon zest
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2 tablespoons
olive oil
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salt to taste
Directions
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Cut the stems off your fennel bulb. With a mandolin, slice your bulb in thin strips (about 1/8- 1/4 inch thick), cutting from root to leaves.
Roughly chop about 2-3 tablespoons of the green leaves for color.
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Quarter and core the peeled asian pear. Use the mandolin to slice the quarters into half moons in the same thickness as the fennel. Toss with the fennel.
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With a dry pan over medium heat, toast the pralines until they brown and begin to smell nutty. Remove immediately to avoid burning. Crumble roughly with your hands over the fennel and pear.
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Add the goat cheese.
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Whisk together your dressing, toss, and serve.
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