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Fennel & Celery Salad and Roasted Vegetable Salad With Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Fennel Celery Salad

Thank you to all who have inquired about the latest workshop I posted. It is the last before Fall for Chef Ondo and myself as Charleston gets unbearebly hot after May. We are excited to have you join us and spent one on one quality time with you and sharing everything we can! And yes, there are still spots available! May is so gorgeous this time of year and hopefully the water will be warm enough for a couple of dips in the ocean (although there is a pool at the beach house!)

It feels like every where I turn these days, where it to be Instagram, Pinterest or blogs, everyone has Spring fever. And rightly so. Except for us here in SC,

It feels like we had two weeks of winter in between Spring and Spring. Fall? I have no idea what that is around here! We’ve had a mere couple of weeks of winter it seems and now it already feels like summer. My socks have been relegating to the bottom of the drawer and the box of summer clothes is about to cramp up our bedroom space soon. 

I feel torn about it – I like the milder temperatures that our winter brings. I like the ability to layer, put on a hat, wrap myself in a warm blanket or a comfy scarf. I like the long simmered stews that screams winter comfort to me. On the other hand, I can’t wait for Spring and Summer produce, long dinners al fresco with our friends, juicy peaches and nectarines, and colorful fresh salads.

 

Roasted Veg Salad

I am about to embark on a short trip to Kentucky to wrap up a cookbook shoot and while I try to stick to good eating habits while on the road, between the crazy schedule and the fatigue elements, I am never sure of what the days will be like food wise. It seems like wine always find a way to make it to dinner though… Joke aside, I have been filling up on lots of veggies and greens over the last couple of weeks in between editorial and cookbook shoots.

I am happy to share with you two of my go-to salads. Easy to prep, shock full of flavors and they can easily accommodate the addition of a protein if you feel like it.

I often make the Fennel and Celery Salad as a quick lunch with a soft or hard boiled egg to go along but it would be great with a side of chicken or fish. The more robust Roasted Root Veggie Salad is loaded with beets, turnips, carrots, farro and chopped carrot green (tops). It’s a favorite alone but the cumin blood orange vinaigrette makes it a flavorful side for grilled fish or pork chops. Pomegranate seeds are now available pretty much all year long thanks to nifty little packaged cups while the blood oranges in the vinaigrette can easily be subbed for part lemon, part oranges (half and half) making it easy to have year long.

Fennel And Celery Salad

Serves 2 to 4 

1 fennel bulb

4 celery ribs with leaves

2 big handfuls watercress

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds

2 to 4 soft or had boiled eggs

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

juice of a lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Cut the fennel bulb in half (save the fronds for the salad or vegetable stock). Thinly slice the fennel and put in a large mixing bowl. Thinly slice the celery and leave and add the the fennel. Toss in the watercress and pomegranate seeds, In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice and salt and pepper. When ready to serve, drizzle the vinaigrette over the fennel salad and adjust seasoning if necessary. Top with a hard boiled egg if desired.

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette

Serves 4

1 cup farro

2 cups vegetable stock or water

4 beets

1 bunch baby carrots

1 bunch baby turnip

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds

juice and zest of blood orange (or any good juicy orange)

3 tablespoons vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

salt and pepper 

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Cook the farro by bringing the stock or water to a boil. Add the farro, turn the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until tender (about 20 minutes).

Drain and set aside.

Place the beets in a 8×8 pan, add a little water (about 1/4 cup water), cover with foil and roast until tender (about 30 to 45 minutes). Let cool. Peel by rubbing the skin with a kitchen towel (yes, you’ll have to sacrifice it but at least your fingers won’t turn red). Cut into quarters and set aside.

Cut the tops of the carrots off but set aside for the topping.  Trim the turnips the same way. Cut them in half lengthwise. Place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for about 20-30 minutes.

Remove from the oven and set aside. Roughly chop the carrot tops and set aside. 

Whisk the orange juice and zest with the vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl, toss the farro, roasted beets, carrots, turnips, pomegranate seeds and vinaigrette. Top with the chopped carrot greens and serve. 

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Comments


Rosie March 20, 2016 um 4:48 am

Such a stunning salad! I'm so with you on being torn between the seasons – I don't think I'll even make up my mind, yet it is quite a lovely thing to enjoy all year, isn't it? 😉


Karin Garcia March 21, 2016 um 12:35 pm

Looks really beautiful and refreshing! I can just imagine all the health benefits as well! stunning.


Rocky Mountain Woman March 22, 2016 um 8:54 pm

I'm all over this and the blood orange takes it over the top!

love it…


Plafar March 27, 2016 um 2:54 pm

I love Fennel And Celery Salad is one of my favorite. So tasty. thanks


Marta April 1, 2016 um 6:10 pm

Hi Hélène!

Wow, I love the new design of the blog, is stunning!!!! Congrats!! An the roasted vegetables is already in my recipes to make list, looks delicious. thank you for the recipe!!

Marta


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