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Shallow bowl of shaved fennel and apple salad topped with parmesan curls and toasted walnuts on a wooden board

Crisp Shaved Fennel and Apple Salad Bowl with Lemon

A raw, crunchy salad of shaved fennel and apple in a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette, topped with toasted walnuts and shaved parmesan.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Calories: 124

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 fennel bulb large (about 300 g); trimmed and cored
  • 1 apple large (about 180 g); cored
  • 30 g parmesan shaved thin
  • 40 g walnuts toasted and roughly chopped
  • fresh parsley or mint small handful; chopped
For the Dressing
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice fresh, divided
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Method
 

  1. Trim the stalks and fronds from the fennel bulb, saving a few fronds for garnish. Cut the bulb in half and cut out the tough core.
  2. Using a mandoline or a sharp knife, shave the fennel into slices about 2mm thick. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Core the apple and slice it just as thin. Toss the apple slices with 1 tbsp of the lemon juice right away to stop browning, then add to the bowl with the fennel.
  4. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the remaining 2 tbsp lemon juice with the olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing looks smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Toast the walnuts in a dry 8-inch skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the pan often, until fragrant. Let cool slightly, then roughly chop.
  6. Pour the dressing over the fennel and apple. Toss gently with salad tongs until every slice is coated.
  7. Scatter the shaved parmesan, toasted walnuts, and chopped parsley or mint over the top. Add the reserved fennel fronds.
  8. Serve right away while the fennel and apple are still crisp.

Notes

  • Trim the tough core from the fennel bulb before slicing.
  • Toss apple in lemon juice immediately to stop browning.
  • Dress the salad within 20 minutes of serving for best crunch.
  • Toast walnuts in a dry skillet, don't skip this step for flavor.