5.0 from 21 votes
Lemony Fennel Salad with Shaved Parmesan and Toasted Walnuts
Refreshing and crunchy, this simple salad will elevate any dish, from roast chicken to grilled pork chops or fish. The thinner the fennel is sliced the more tender it tastes–a mandoline works well to get delicate, paper-thin shards. Otherwise a sharp knife does the trick!
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6 to 4, as a side
Calories: 1626 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American-Mediterranean Fusion
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream or light cream (optional)
- 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large fennel bulbs, halved, cored, and thinly sliced; plus 2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds
- 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the walnuts on a sheet pan in one layer. When the oven is hot, bake until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl or pitcher, whisk together the olive oil, cream (if using), 1 1/2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and add more lemon juice, olive oil, or salt if needed.
- Dress the salad. Place the fennel in a shallow serving bowl or deep plate. Add half of the cooled walnut pieces and half of the shaved parmesan. Just before serving, pour the dressing over and toss gently to thoroughly coat the fennel.
- Finish and serve. In a small bowl, mix the chopped fennel fronds with the lemon zest and sprinkle over the salad. Garnish with the remaining walnut pieces and parmesan shavings and grind a touch more pepper on top. Let the salad rest just a minute or two before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- What are fennel fronds? Fronds are the hair-like green frills that grow out of the top of the bulb of fennel. If your fennel did not come with any fronds attached, don’t fret! They add a delicate anise flavor, but this salad is also delicious without them.
- Heavy cream adds an extra luxurious quality, but you can swap in a tablespoon of olive oil in its place.
- our shop
- to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including
- olive oils
- ,
- honey
- ,
- jams
- , and
- spices
- .
- What are fennel fronds? Fronds are the hair-like green frills that grow out of the top of the bulb of fennel. If your fennel did not come with any fronds attached, don’t fret! They add a delicate anise flavor, but this salad is also delicious without them.
- Heavy cream adds an extra luxurious quality, but you can swap in a tablespoon of olive oil in its place.
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition Information
Calories
162.6kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
8.2g
(3%)
Protein
3.9g
(8%)
Fat
13.8g
(21%)
Saturated Fat
2.5g
(13%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3.4g
Monounsaturated Fat
7.5g
Cholesterol
3.8mg
(1%)
Sodium
130.2mg
(5%)
Potassium
374.5mg
(11%)
Fiber
3.2g
(13%)
Sugar
3.7g
(7%)
Vitamin A
152.8IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
19mg
(21%)
Calcium
113.5mg
(11%)
Iron
0.9mg
(5%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6to 4, as a side
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1626
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 162.6kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 8.2g | 3% |
| Protein | 3.9g | 8% |
| Fat | 13.8g | 21% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g | 13% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4g | 20% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7.5g | 38% |
| Cholesterol | 3.8mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 130.2mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 374.5mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3.2g | 13% |
| Sugar | 3.7g | 7% |
| Vitamin A | 152.8IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 113.5mg | 11% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.