This Fennel Basil Asiago Salad is a refreshing veggie salad that is full of flavor and crunch! The tangerine vinaigrette compliments the basil and Asiago perfectly! Serve it with some nice warm crusty bread.
I just love this salad, it’s great by itself but you can also add it to some greens of your choice. I also like to mix it with some wild rice or quinoa and I usually add a bit more dressing and finely shredded Asiago cheese.
After I made and photographed this salad, I took a bowl of it outside on my little patio and enjoyed it with a glass of Albarino. I always get inspired by eating lunch outdoors. It’s one of my favorite things to do and any restaurant with outdoor seating is somewhere I want to try.
This salad goes great with most dry and sweet white wines, it just depends on your mood. Try it with a crisp Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino or Rose wine.
Fennel Basil Asiago Salad Recipe:
2 – 4 Servings
- 1 Recipe Tangerine Champagne Vinaigrette – recipe below
- 1 Fennel Bulb – halved – thinly sliced
- 1/2 Cup Red Cabbage – sliced
- 1/2 Cup Radishes – thinly sliced
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper – diced
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Basil – minced
- 1 Cup Aged Asiago Cheese
Tangerine Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe:
- 1/3 Cup Fresh Squeezed Tangerine Juice
- 1/2 Teaspoon Tangerine Zest (optional)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
- Dash Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Champagne Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Shallots or 2 Tablespoons – minced
- 1 Small Cloves Garlic or 2 Teaspoons – minced
Instructions:
Add the mustard, tangerine juice, zest, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and whisk together.
Mix everything together and serve. Or serve vinaigrette and Asiago on the side.
Health Benefits:
Fennel is a very good source of fiber that helps limit cholesterol buildup and helps to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood. The fiber also helps remove carcinogens from the colon and it can eliminate constipation. It contains the phytonutrient anethole, the main part of its volatile oil that has been shown to reduce inflammation and also helping prevent the occurrence of cancer. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which is helpful for eye inflammation, and reduces premature aging and macular degeneration. There are high levels of potassium in the fennel bulbs and seeds and can help increase brain function and cognitive abilities and it also increases the reach of oxygen to the brain. The fronds of the fennel bulbs contain important vitamins, like pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin.
Tangerines are a type of mandarin orange. They are a valuable source of flavonoid antioxidants that are several times higher than oranges but have even more vitamin A and iron. The vitamin A in them helps with immune function, vision and reproductive health. As with all citrus, they are still very rich in vitamin C that stimulates the production of collagen and helps keeps your skin supple as well as stimulating cell generation in the body. Antioxidants are found in high concentrations in the rind of tangerines, which fight off free radicals keeping the body’s cells healthy while purifying the blood and remove toxins. They contain natural soluble and insoluble fiber that improves digestion and restrict the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, which helps cut the risk of obesity and reduce inflammation. The tangerine fruit has been used effectively against skin diseases and arthritis. They also help to absorb iron from food into the body and contain a good amount of Folate and Potassium.
