Roasted Fennel and Pear Salad

Lauren Caris Short

By Lauren Caris Short

Updated

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5 from 1 vote

Enjoy the fusion of roasted fennel and sweet pears in this American-inspired salad. Easy to make, this dish promises a burst of flavor for any occasion.

top-down half-view image of a plate featuring a visually appealing roasted fennel and pear salad

Fennel has a very distinctive aniseed flavor.

It’s pretty overwhelming when it’s raw so if you don’t like it, you don’t.

Roast it, however, and it’s a whole different ball game. It becomes sweet, soft, and delicious, the perfect compliment to a cold, crisp, juicy pear.

I had the funniest conversation at work the other day with two of my colleagues, one Swiss and one American.

We found an article on BuzzFeed, listing all the foods that Americans miss when living in Europe, and one of them was good salads.

Being European, we were all like “What’s wrong with our salads?!” and we were swiftly told that a small plate of greens with maybe some tomatoes and a choice of “Italian or French” dressing, is not a sufficient salad situation. Point taken.

close-up image featuring four fresh pears

I kind of get it. I mean, I’m not the biggest lettuce fan.

I like it a lot, but on its own, it’s just a bit drab. This salad is a game changer. It’s all about the toppings and it’s certainly piled high.

With the lemon and olive oil dressing, not one piece is left bland, every single crevice is packed with flavor.

I’m a huge fan of warm things on a salad, they make it feel like a proper meal, you know? Fennel when roasted is soft, sweet, and sultry.

It needs something to lift it, and the citrusy dressing and crispy pear do the perfect job.

I specifically used Forelle pears in this recipe because they are so crunchy.

They aren’t the typical green soft pears you get. They have a beautiful blush on their skin and stay firm.

close-up image of a plate featuring a vibrant roasted fennel and pear salad, showcasing the delightful mix of golden brown fennel slices and juicy pear wedges, accented with colorful greens and drizzled with a flavorful dressing

Does this salad have enough toppings to live up to your salad expectations?

Salad should be fun, and I think this does the job.

My perfect salad has a variety of greens, an in-your-face flavor dressing, something cold and crispy, and something warm and sweet.

overhead image capturing two plates showcasing a delectable roasted fennel and pear salad, accompanied by a bowl of dressing

What do you think are the elements needed for a perfect salad?

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Roasted Fennel and Pear Salad

Enjoy the fusion of roasted fennel and sweet pears in this American-inspired salad. Easy to make, this dish promises a burst of flavor for any occasion.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 1
Calories: 816kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 bulb fennel
  • 1 pear forelle
  • 4 oz spinach
  • 4 oz watercress
  • ½ oz walnuts finely chopped
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 356⁰F (180⁰C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the fennel into 1/4 inch thick slices and coat with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 30 minutes until golden and caremelised.
  • While the fennel is cooking, make the salad dressing. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper until everything is well combined. Toss the spinach and watercress in the dressing so it is fully coated and place on a plate.
  • Chop the pear into slices and arrange on top of the salad. Add the warm roasted fennel, crumble some walnuts and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 816kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 67g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 42g | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 2320mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 14625IU | Vitamin C: 145mg | Calcium: 408mg | Iron: 6mg

Images by Lauren Caris Short.

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0 thoughts on “Roasted Fennel and Pear Salad”

  1. Pingback: 25 Healthy Green Recipe to Celebrate St Patrick's Day - SWEETASHONEY
  2. Totally agree that fennel transforms into something magical when you roast it. Love the look of this salad — it’s fresh and perfect for dinner in the summertime!

    Reply