FENNEL, ORANGE AND DATE SALAD


Nigella says: “When I am in the kitchen I am happy.” I do wholeheartedly agree. I so love to spend time in the kitchen when there is no rush, when I can indulge in long list of ingredients and processes. However these days are a bit of a luxury (that’w what makes them special).

On the other hand I love using just few ingredients and making a dish in minutes. Sometimes simplicity is the king. So what can you make with just three ingredients, namely fennel, orange and dates? A salad I say. I love the sticky ultra sweet dates with juicy oranges and the crunch of fragrant fennel. Raw fennel is a real revelation, it is rather sweet you could easily think this salad is a dessert. And it may come as a surprise but a portion of this salad will give you around 10% of your daily calcium. Tasty and good for you.

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FENNEL, ORANGE AND DATE SALAD
The dates I used are the big juicy Medjool dates, if using the smaller variety you will need to increase the number by half.

Serves 4

ingredients
2 fennel bulbs
2 -3 oranges
6 Medjool dates

method
  1. Peel any damaged layers of the fennel, cut of the tough stalks and cut out the core. Cut into pieces about 1/2 inch (1.5cm). Put into a large bowl.
  2. Zest 2 oranges, add the zest to your fennel.
  3. Using a sharp knife ( I find a serrated bread knife works great) peel of the orange peel and the white pith. Cut into bite size pieces. I try to match the size of the fennel. Collect any juice and add together with the oranges to your fennel.
  4. Now cut up the dates (again similar size) and add to the bowl. Add pinch of salt (optional). Toss together.
  5. The juice of the oranges will self-dress the salad however if your oranges are not very juicy add the juice of the third orange to dress the salad.
  6. Let it sit for about half an hour for the flavours to develop.
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