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Citrus Avocado and Shaved Fennel Salad

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This citrus avocado and shaved fennel salad is just the thing to get you out of a salad slump. It’s simple and colorful and replete with bright acidity.

It’s the kick in the pants I need around the end of February, when winter feels interminable and I crave something that feels like sunshine on a plate.

This salad has not one but two kinds of citrus: blood orange and grapefruit. You could, of course, swap in different oranges (cara cara oranges are magnificent in salads) or omit the grapefruit if you don’t like them or avoid them because they conflict with a medication, but I like the mix of colors and bitter and sweet flavors these two citrus varieties bring.

The fennel gets shaved paper thin. The easiest way to do this is on a mandoline (which is also the easiest way to slice the tips of your fingers, so be careful!), but a sharp knife can also do the job.

Shaved Fennel and Avocado

The shaved fennel and orange and grapefruit segments get tossed in an Asian-inflected dressing with lime juice and soy sauce and sesame oil, a bit of mirin and a squeeze of sriracha.

(It’s a dressing that’s nice to have in your back pocket for any crisp vegetable salad–it’s nice on cucumbers or a shaved cabbage slaw as well.)

Then thinly sliced avocado gets added to the mix, and the whole thing gets topped with a flurry of mint.

It’s a lovely little salad with a perfect balance of sweet and sour, soft and crisp, rich and light.

Its the sort of thing that makes a lovely light lunch on its own but also goes beautifully alongside you protein of choice. I especially love it next to a piece of fish (but I could imagine eating with with edamame tossed in for a vegetable protein source as well).

Citrus, Avocado, and Shaved Fennel Salad

I’ll be eating this one until spring gets here.

And then I’ll be eating it in summer and fall and pretty much all year with whatever citrus I can get my hands on.

It’s that good.

Citrus Avocado and Shaved Fennel Salad
Yield: 4 servings

Citrus Avocado and Shaved Fennel Salad

Citrus Avocado and Shaved Fennel Salad

This salad has blood oranges and grapefruit and I love the color and mix of sweet and bitter they bring, but feel free to swap in your favorite mix or oranges or pomelos if you like. The shaved fennel brings crunch and the avocado brings richness, and the sesame soy dressing brings salty depth with a sriracha kick for some heat. This is vegan as is and gluten free if you use tamari in place of soy sauce. I like on it's own as a light lunch or alongside any protein for a more substantial meal. I like to shave the fennel on a mandoline but a sharp chefs knife can also get the job done. The citrus here get supremed to remove the membranes. It's a great way to enjoy citrus in salads. If you aren't familiar with the technique, I've linked to instructions below.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the salad

For the lime sesame soy dressing

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Add the shaved fennel and citrus segments to a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sriracha together. Lightly dress the fennel and citrus, then transfer to a serving plate and add gently arrange the avocado slices, add the rest of the dressing. Sprinkle mint over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dressing may be made ahead of time. If you aren't familiar with how to supreme orange and grapefruit, learn how here.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 106Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 501mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g

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Valentina

Monday 25th of February 2019

This is such a stunning salad. Like a painting. And the flavors sound as delicious as it is pretty.

Kristina

Monday 25th of February 2019

You are totally right when it comes to this perfect pairing of sweet and sour! This is sure one to try!

Lisa Bryan

Monday 25th of February 2019

I love this salad! All of those flavors pair perfectly and it's super delicious.

Sharon

Monday 25th of February 2019

What wonderful flavors in this salad! The crispy fennel and the juicy citrus looks fantastic.

Elaine

Monday 25th of February 2019

I love salads that are simple yet have that color that attracts the eye. This is a perfect recipe to enjoy by yourself or at the party - yum!

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