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Apple + Fennel with Pistachio + Apricot

September 16, 2014 by Joy the Baker 31 Comments

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apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio

It feels like we’re in the middle of things.  Like we have to begrudgingly set down our watermelon and water balloons and pick up our infinity scarf and pumpkin spice latte.  Seasons don’t happen in a snap.  There’s a transition period… a kind of grace that allows us to take a deep breath, absorb our days of sunshine and beach breezes to ready ourselves for the crisp nights and spiced cider.  What we crave in the transition can be tricky.  I find myself gobbling all of the peaches and dreaming of apple fritters.  Truth be told, I’m always dreaming of apple fritters, that’s no surprise.

apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio salad

This salad feels like a lovely transition.  Fresh apple and fennel make it easy to move into Autumn.  It’s no time to crank up the oven for a roast when I find myself still craving fresh and bright flavors.

We’re also adding fresh arugula for its peppery notes, salty roasted pistachios, sweet dried apricots, and salty parmesan cheese.  It’s all about balance!

This recipe is inspired by Chef Nathan Lyon.  His seasonal cookbook is a staple in my kitchen.

apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio salad

Here’s the thing about salad.  It’s often about lettuce and tomato going into a bowl, being choked down before we eat a giant pizza.

This is not that salad. This salad is much more delicate and pretty… but we’re still going to need a bowl.

apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio salad

Into a bowl:  chopped arugula, thinly sliced fennel, thinly sliced apple, small diced red onions.

apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio salad

We don’t make a formal dressing for this salad.  We just drizzle lemon, vinegar, and olive oil.

apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio salad

Tossed with salt and pepper, apricots and pistachios.

apple + fennel with apricot + pistachio salad

This salad has a really lovely balance of sweet, salt, and spice.

It’s also very versatile!  Substitute currants or dried cranberries for the apricots.  Add spinach and parsley instead of arugula.  Try a balsamic vinaigrette instead of lemon.  This salad can be exactly what you want it to be.

What’s also great about this salad is that most of it can be assembled long before it’s served.  Everything but the greens can be tossed together and left in the refrigerator for a day and tossed with the arugula (or your preferred green) just before serving.  Easy breezy as we transition into Autumn.

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Apple + Fennel + Pistachio + Apricot

  • Prep Time: 0 hours
  • Cook Time: 0 hours
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: serves 2
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large Fuji or Golden Delicious apple, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
  • 2 large handfuls arugula, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced red onions
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup finely diced dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup shelled and coarsely chopped pistachios
  • 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl toss together the thinly sliced apples, fennel, arugula, and red onions. Drissle with lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil. Add the dried apricot pieces, pistachios and cheese. Toss to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper and toss just before serving. Serve soon after assembling.

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Filed Under: Fruit, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Recipes, Savory, Vegan

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  1. Morgan King

    September 21, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Just made this for dinner, was just as delicious as you think it would be.

    Reply
  2. Girl Named Allyn

    September 19, 2014 at 9:52 am

    Mouth. Watering.
    And more for the salad than for the fritters.
    Something must be wrong with me.

    Reply
  3. The Queen of Dreaming

    September 19, 2014 at 6:44 am

    This is the kind of thing I want to eat right now!

    https://justsem.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  4. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen

    September 17, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    I’m struggling with the transitions of seasons too. This salad is the perfect welcome to fall.

    Reply
  5. kitchen afternoon

    September 17, 2014 at 2:25 am

    nice transition

    Reply
  6. Ella

    September 16, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    Looks like the perfect transition salad! I actually have NEVER tried fennel before… Something tells me I’m missing out.
    https://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

    Reply
  7. from The Lion's Den

    September 16, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    looks delicious!

    from – The Lion’s Den

    Reply
  8. fariha

    September 16, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    this is beautiful! your photography and styling game has just upped itself since your move to nola!

    Reply
  9. Chef Nathan Lyon

    September 16, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    So sweet. And it’s not just the salad I’m talking about.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      September 16, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      so happy to see you two this weekend!

      Reply
      • Chef Nathan Lyon

        September 16, 2014 at 10:17 pm

        Countdown to dinner in LA.

        Reply
  10. Ahu Shahrabani

    September 16, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    What a lovely combination of flavors!

    Reply
  11. Kate

    September 16, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    We are transitioning from winter to spring here in Australia and this is 100% perfect! Thanks Joy

    Reply
  12. Amy

    September 16, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    I love the inbetween times and the inspiration they provide. Such a beautiful salad Joy and perfect for our transition through spring to summer :)

    Reply
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