Is it just me?
Why does it seem like Christmas is so soon right after Thanksgiving?
I know it’s the same date every year but time sure seems to fly these days.
So with all the holiday rich foods and drinks happening now, I thought you might like a lovely little clean salad that I made up the other night – actually the night before Thanksgiving is when I first served this – the night before another eat-a-thon!
It is the season for persimmons! I LOVE them and I have been using them everywhere! From pasta dishes to roasted fish to meats to salads, you name it!
I love the color (orange is my fave), and they’re surprising, sweet, refreshing and oh so lovely.
So this salad of baby arugula, shaved fresh fennel, and chopped persimmons with a champagne vinaigrette is super simple and the taste is light, crisp, fresh and sweet with a little heat from the greens – just delish! The perfect starter to clean your palate!
May you enjoy this in the coming weeks to add a little health to your merriment!
ARUGULA, FENNEL AND PERSIMMONS SALAD – serves 4 – 5
5 oz. baby arugula, washed, dried and chilled
½ of a large fennel bulb, shaved on a mandoline
2 persimmons – flat bottomed, cored and cut into chunks
Champagne Vinaigrette:
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. Champagne vinegar
scant 1/2 cup of olive oil
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Place all ingredients in a jar. Cover tightly and shake. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Divide the arugula among the four or five salad plates. Top each with the shaved fennel slices, then top with the persimmon chunks. Drizzle with the champagne vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Watch people’s expressions when they think they might be eating a tomato and it turns out to be a sweet persimmon. Surprise!!
With salads, I find the simpler the better. Really, the ones with the least ingredients are the best. I always remember those restaurants that try too hard – their salads give them away – with waaay too many things in them.
KISS (you know, Keep It Simple Stupid) works with salads too!
Veal Milanese – or Pork
Arugula, Roasted Beets and Scallion Salad – It’s all about the ingredients!
Best, unique salad. Best, unique friends.
Lunch with Nora
Zucchini, fennel, red pepper and mint torta
Elegant, and colorful. I love it.
Amy recently posted…Chili Sauce # 3
Exactly the right adjectives, Amy, thank you!!
What a beautiful looking salad, so bright and fresh. Perfect for this time of year.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Cooking The Italian Provinces – Siena
YES Jovina – it’s clean against all the winter… heaviness.
I love persimmon in my salad too. Yours looks really refreshing and delicious, Mary.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Beetroot and Persimmon Salad
Thanks Angie!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I swear Christmas comes every other month – time just flies. I’d like to take a break and enjoy this salad because persimmons are a favorite of mine.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…How to Dry Sourdough Starter – Save Your Starter
You are so funny… 🙂 🙂 🙂
Can’t believe Christmas is almost here! This month — heck, the entire year! — has flown by. Anyway, wonderful salad — perfect balance of flavors. Thanks!
John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Wine-Braised Beef Pot Roast
Thanks John!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I never had used persimmons in a salad, what a great idea now I know what to do if I was given tons of this when the season comes here
Raymund recently posted…Totsong Bangus
Even if you’re not given them, search them out – truly delectable!!
I love fennel, the salad sounds fantastic!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Raspberry Linzer Cookies
I do too Manali – I love it raw, (thin or thick sliced) roasted, grilled or braised – and it tastes different each time!
Persimmons and fennel seem like such a fun and elegant combination. You can bet I won’t forget this! Thanks Mary!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook recently posted…Easy Chocolate Sable Salted Cookies
Thanks Abbe!! You make me smile – it was elegant!
Love the surprise of the persimmon! And the peppery flavor of the arugula with the fennel! Such a great, and unexpected, combination!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted…12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2015
Yes!!! It totally was Lindsey! Thanks for stopping by!