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Fennel Apple Salad
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Fennel Apple Salad with Goat Cheese Dressing

This creamy and tangy Fennel Apple Salad with Goat Cheese Dressing is a fresh, crunchy side dish you can whip up quickly, or make ahead! With a blended goat cheese dressing, crisp honey crisp apples and crunchy pecans this salad makes a great quick and easy side dish for dinner or holiday brunch!
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: fennel, salad
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • blender or immersion blender

Ingredients

Goat Cheese Dressing 

  • ½ medium shallot, finely chopped (reserve other half for salad)
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 
  • 1 teaspoon honey 
  • the juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 4 oz goat cheese 

Salad

  • 1 whole medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced and well rinsed 
  • 2 honey crisp apples, quartered and thinly sliced
  • 1 rib/stalk celery, thinly sliced 
  • ½ medium shallot, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Making the dressing:
    1. Add all dressing ingredients to a blender or immersion blender cup, and blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside while you make the salad.
    Making the Salad:
    1. Slice the celery into thin slices, and add to a large mixing bowl. Remove the stems and fronds from the fennel, and set aside. Reserve some fronds for serving/garnish, if desired.
    2. Thinly slice the fennel bulb with a sharp knife or a mandolin. Transfer sliced fennel to a colander and rinse well. Drain, pat dry, and add to the bowl with the celery.
    3. Cut apples away from the core, and thinly slice. Add to bowl with the fennel and celery.
    4. Thinly slice the shallot, and add to the bowl with the celery, fennel, and apples.
    5. Add chopped pecans to the bowl.
    6. Add the dressing to the bowl, and toss well to combine.
    Note: Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, and garnish with fennel fronds. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours prior to serving to chill.

Notes

Make the dressing first:
To make the salad easy to make, and prevent the apples from browning, make the dressing prior to assembling. The acid in the dressing will keep the apples from browning once tossed. 
 
To make vegan dressing:
If you want to make a vegan version, you can use vegan goat cheese or dairy free Boursin spread to make the dressing. Adjust the amount of olive oil or dijon as needed for a creamier consistency.