Spring Green Fennel Salad

I've promised myself that this year I will learn to like fennel. Not for any real reason, just because it seems like something one should enjoy. I was going to make it into a creamy potato-fennel casserole, but didn't feel like putting in so much effort.

Instead, I decided to make it into a nice healthy salad to go with my turkey. Healthy is good today, since I binged a little bit last on hot wings and french fries at an Irish pub with the girls. 

For this salad and unfamiliar ingredient, I used a little trick I like to call "inspired by the color __" to give me direction on things to pair with fennel. The same-color-veg method works great with soups, and it worked here too. Everything in it is green - right down the the dressing of lime juice and olive oil (technically, olives are green, right?).

This salad goes great with turkey or chicken - try a bite with a little of everything

Spring Green Fennel Salad

A crisp and tart salad, inspired by the color green

Serves 2

¼ C fresh lime juice

¼ C extra virgin olive oil

1 fennel bulb, sliced thin

1 green apple, sliced thin

1 small cucumber, sliced thin

2 T fresh mint leaves, chopped

¼ C fresh cilantro, chopped

½ C shelled pistachios, toasted

sea salt & black pepper

lettuce leaves for serving

Whisk together lime juice and olive oil - adjust amounts if you like it more or less tart. Toss all ingredients together and serve on lettuce leaves.