Shaved Fennel and Arugula Salad: A Zesty, Fresh Recipe & OXO Salad Tool Kit Giveaway!

(Disclosure: The prizes in this fantastic giveaway are generously provided by OXO, a brand I genuinely trust and use in my own kitchen.)

The Irresistible Allure of a Perfectly Crafted Salad

Few things spark as much genuine culinary happiness for me as a well-made, vibrant salad. If you’ve been a loyal reader of Aggie’s Kitchen for any length of time, you’re likely already well aware of this delightful obsession. My philosophy is simple: gather fresh, crisp greens, pair them with a few carefully chosen extras, and finish with a light drizzle of a complementary dressing. This seemingly straightforward combination is all it takes to ignite my excitement for a meal centered around salad. Call me unconventional, but I find immense joy and satisfaction in the freshness, crunch, and nourishing qualities that only a thoughtfully prepared salad can offer. It’s not just a side dish; it’s often the star of my plate, especially when I’m aiming for something both healthy and satisfying.

My passion for salads was recently reinvigorated during a wonderful staycation we enjoyed last week. One evening, we ventured out to a beloved local pizza place, and naturally, our meal began with one of their tempting salads. I opted for the house salad, a deceptively simple concoction that included exquisitely thinly shaved fennel, crisp arugula, striking radicchio, generous shavings of rich Parmesan, and a bright, zesty lemon dressing. “Wowzers” truly describes my reaction – this salad absolutely nailed it for me. It was SO incredibly fresh, bursting with distinctive flavors, yet presented with such elegant simplicity. The anise-like sweetness of the fennel, the peppery kick of the arugula, the subtle bitterness of radicchio, and the savory notes of Parmesan all harmonized beautifully under that bright lemon dressing. While I noticed it was perhaps a little too lemony for the palates of my husband and daughter (my youngest son hasn’t quite developed his salad appreciation yet!), I was more than delighted to finish every last bit they didn’t want. It was a memorable discovery that left a lasting impression on my taste buds, compelling me to recreate it.

Arugula salads, with their characteristic light peppery bite, have always been one of my absolute favorites. I adore how such a delicate green can deliver such a vibrant flavor profile. When combined with the intriguing sweetness and crunch of thinly sliced fennel, the subtle bitterness and beautiful color of radicchio, and the salty umami perfection of good Parmesan cheese, this particular salad recipe immediately cemented its place as a new “go-to” in my summer repertoire. I just knew, from that first forkful, that this combination was a winner, destined for many repeat performances in my home kitchen. It’s light, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying – everything you want in a simple summer salad.

From Inspiration to Your Kitchen: Recreating this Culinary Gem

As soon as I walked through my front door after that unforgettable dinner, the desire to recreate this simple yet profoundly satisfying plate of greens was overwhelming. I couldn’t wait to capture those vibrant flavors and textures in my own kitchen. And so, without delay, I did. The beauty of this salad lies in its straightforward preparation, proving that you don’t need a complex recipe to achieve extraordinary taste. It’s an ode to fresh, quality ingredients handled with care, demonstrating how a few thoughtfully combined components can result in a truly memorable dish. This Shaved Fennel and Arugula Salad is a perfect example of how effortlessly gourmet flavors can be brought to your dinner table.

Print Recipe

Shaved Fennel and Arugula Salad with Lemon & Parmesan

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 bulb fresh fennel: Ensure it’s thoroughly washed and trimmed of its stems and feathery fronds. The bulb will provide a delicate anise-like flavor and satisfying crunch, while thin slicing unlocks its unique texture.
1/2 of a 5 oz bag of fresh arugula: Washed and dried exceptionally well. Arugula offers a delightful peppery kick that perfectly complements the other ingredients, adding a vibrant green base.
1/2 small head of radicchio: Thinly sliced for its vibrant ruby color and a pleasantly bitter counterpoint, adding depth and visual appeal to the salad’s flavor profile.
Parmesan shavings: Use a generous amount of high-quality, aged Parmesan for its salty, nutty, and umami richness. Adjust the quantity to your personal preference; fresh shavings are key for the best flavor.
1-2 fresh lemons, halved: Essential for their bright, acidic juice, which forms the core of our simple, refreshing dressing, cutting through the richness of the cheese and bitterness of radicchio.
1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: A good quality olive oil provides a smooth, fruity base for the dressing, binding the flavors together beautifully and adding a healthy fat.
Pinch of coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper: Seasoning to taste is crucial for enhancing all the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients, bringing out their best.

Directions for Preparation:

Begin by preparing your fennel. Utilizing a handheld mandoline (for perfectly uniform, paper-thin slices) or a very sharp chef’s knife, carefully slice the fennel bulb as thinly as possible. The thinness is key to its delicate texture and ensures it blends seamlessly with the other greens. Place the meticulously shaved fennel into a large mixing bowl. Add the thoroughly washed and dried arugula, along with the thinly sliced radicchio. Gently toss these three vibrant components together to ensure an even distribution, creating a beautiful base for your salad.
Next, for the Parmesan cheese, take a solid block of high-quality Parmesan. Using a vegetable peeler or the mandoline, artfully shave delicate ribbons of cheese directly over the greens in the bowl. The amount is truly up to your desire – some prefer a light dusting, while others love a substantial cheesy embrace. These savory flakes will melt slightly in your mouth, adding delightful bursts of salty, nutty flavor that elevate the entire salad experience.
To create the simple, yet potent, dressing, squeeze the fresh juice from the halved lemons directly over the salad. The bright acidity will awaken all the flavors, providing a refreshing zing. Follow this with a generous drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil, which will add richness and help coat the greens. Season the salad precisely to your taste with a pinch of coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Using kitchen tongs, gently toss all the ingredients once more until every leaf and shaving is perfectly coated. This refreshing salad is best served immediately, either transferred to individual serving plates for an elegant presentation or enjoyed directly from your mixing bowl for a more casual, family-style approach.

This salad recipe is a testament to simplicity and freshness, bursting with vibrant flavors! It’s an ideal choice for a light and healthy summer meal, serves as an excellent, refreshing accompaniment to virtually anything grilled (from chicken to fish), or makes a bright, tangy addition to your next pizza night. This delightful creation was lovingly inspired by the classic house salad served at Giordano’s, a true Chicago institution known for its delicious offerings.

Follow AggiesKitchen on Instagram and share your culinary creations from the blog! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #aggieskitchen – I absolutely love seeing what delicious dishes you’re cooking up and connecting with our amazing community!

Celebrate Fresh Salads & Our 5-Year Blog Anniversary with OXO!

To honor the sheer delight of a perfectly made salad, and to continue the joyous celebration of Aggie’s Kitchen reaching its fantastic five-year milestone, our wonderful partners at OXO have generously assembled an incredible salad-making tool kit. This thoughtfully curated collection is designed to simplify and enhance your salad preparation, and we’re thrilled to give it away to one fortunate Aggie’s Kitchen reader. Five years of sharing recipes, stories, and culinary adventures with all of you has been an absolute dream, and this giveaway is a small token of my immense gratitude for your continued support and engagement!

I can personally attest to the exceptional quality, durability, and sheer usefulness of OXO products. My OXO salad spinner, for instance, is not just a kitchen tool; it’s a veteran workhorse in my home. It sees action weekly, if not more, ensuring my greens are perfectly washed and dried – a crucial step for a great salad where dressing actually clings to the leaves! What’s truly remarkable is that it’s the very same OXO salad spinner I invested in when I first got married over 10 years ago. That longevity speaks volumes about the brand’s commitment to quality and thoughtful design, right? Furthermore, the OXO handheld mandoline slicer is a revelation for achieving quick, uniformly thin slices, essential for delicate ingredients like the fennel in this salad, or the crisp cucumbers in another family favorite, my Kicked Up Cucumber Salad. This tool is particularly comforting for those, like myself, who might harbor a slight fear or apprehension about using larger, more intimidating mandolines. It offers precision without the stress, making healthy meal prep a joy rather than a chore. These tools truly empower home cooks to create beautiful, delicious meals with greater ease and confidence, transforming everyday tasks into delightful culinary moments.

We are genuinely thrilled for one of you to win these indispensable tools that can truly elevate your kitchen experience. I hope you enjoy creating this refreshing Shaved Fennel and Arugula Salad recipe, and I extend my very best wishes for good luck in the giveaway!

Enter to Win the Ultimate OXO Salad Making Tool Kit!

This incredible Salad Making Tool Kit is thoughtfully provided by our trusted friends at OXO. It comprises a comprehensive selection of high-quality tools, each specifically designed to make every step of your salad preparation more efficient, enjoyable, and mess-free:

OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker: Say goodbye to separated dressings! This shaker allows you to effortlessly emulsify, mix, and store your homemade dressings with a simple shake, preventing spills and ensuring perfect consistency every time you serve.
OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner: An absolute kitchen essential for achieving perfectly washed and thoroughly dried greens. Dry greens are paramount for allowing your dressings to cling beautifully to every leaf, avoiding a watery or diluted salad experience.
OXO Good Grips Oil Stopper & Pourer: Gain precise control over your oil and vinegar dispensing. This clever tool provides a steady, controlled pour, preventing messy drips and ensuring just the right amount for your recipes, whether drizzling or measuring.
OXO Good Grips Hand-Held Mandoline Slicer: Safely and easily achieve restaurant-quality, uniformly thin slices of various vegetables. It’s perfect for delicate ingredients like fennel, crisp cucumbers, radishes, and more, offering precision without the need for a bulky, full-size mandoline.
OXO Good Grips 3-piece Peeler Set: This versatile set equips you with the right peeler for every task. Whether you’re dealing with soft fruit skins, like tomatoes, or tough root vegetable exteriors, these ergonomic peelers make prep work quick, comfortable, and efficient.
OXO Good Grips 12″ Tongs with Nylon Heads: Indispensable for gently tossing your salads, ensuring every ingredient is coated without bruising delicate greens, and for serving without scratching your prized mixing bowls. Plus, you get to choose a color to match your kitchen decor!
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer: Simplify the often-tricky task of preparing avocados. This ingenious tool safely splits, pits, and slices avocados with ease, making it a breeze to add this healthy fat to your salads and dishes without fuss or mess.
OXO Good Grips 2-piece Fruit Scoop Set: Beyond just scooping, these handy tools are perfect for creating decorative fruit balls for elegant presentations or efficiently removing seeds from melons and squash, adding a touch of creativity to your meals.

This exciting giveaway kicks off today, Wednesday, June 12th, and will run for one week, concluding on Wednesday, June 19th, precisely at 12 noon (EST).

A friendly reminder: This giveaway is open exclusively to our cherished readers residing within the United States. The fortunate winner will be selected completely at random using a reliable Pick Giveaway Winner plugin application. The chosen winner will be promptly notified via email and will have a generous 48-hour window to respond and claim their fantastic prize before an alternate winner is selected to ensure the tools find a happy home.

How to Enter the OXO Salad Tool Kit Giveaway:

To enter into the giveaway:

Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me what your absolute favorite kind of salad is! Whether it’s a classic Caesar, a hearty Cobb, or a unique creation you’ve perfected, we love hearing about your culinary preferences and inspirations!

You can earn additional entries by completing the following actions:

(Please remember to leave a separate comment for each completed action; each individual comment will count as a distinct entry. This helps us track all your entries accurately!)

“Like” Aggie’s Kitchen on Facebook. (If you’re already a fan, just let me know in your comment – that wholeheartedly counts as an entry!)
“Like” OXO on Facebook.
Follow @AggiesKitchen on Twitter. (If you’re already following my culinary adventures, simply mention it in your comment for an easy entry!)
Follow @OXO on Twitter.
Share about this fantastic giveaway on Twitter: “I want to win an @OXO Salad Tool Kit from @aggieskitchen! http://su.pr/2h5m77 #giveaway” Spread the word to your followers and tag your friends!
Share about the giveaway on Facebook with a direct link to this post. Help your friends discover this amazing opportunity for some great kitchen tools!
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