Winter Citrus Salad with Avocado and Fennel (Printable Version)
Sweet citrus meets creamy avocado and crisp fennel in this vibrant winter salad. Fresh, light, and ready in 20 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Citrus
01 - 2 large oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
02 - 2 blood oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
03 - 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced into rounds
→ Vegetables & Fruits
04 - 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced, fronds reserved for garnish
05 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced
→ Dressing
06 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
09 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tbsp toasted pistachios or slivered almonds
12 - Reserved fennel fronds
13 - Flaky sea salt (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Slice off the top and bottom of each citrus fruit. Using a sharp knife, remove the peel and pith following the fruit's contour. Slice crosswise into 1/4-inch rounds and remove any seeds encountered.
02 - Place citrus rounds on a large serving platter, arranging them in a slightly overlapping pattern to create an appealing layered presentation.
03 - Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice the fennel bulb crosswise into thin, translucent slices. Scatter evenly over the arranged citrus layer.
04 - Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and peel. Slice each half crosswise and arrange the slices over the fennel and citrus base.
05 - Combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until fully emulsified and slightly thickened.
06 - Drizzle the emulsified dressing evenly over the entire salad immediately before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
07 - Sprinkle toasted pistachios or almonds and reserved fennel fronds over the dressed salad. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The balance of creamy avocado and crisp fennel creates a texture that is impossible to stop eating.
- It brings a burst of sunshine to the coldest months of the year.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad too far in advance or the fennel will lose its crunch.
- Using a sharp knife ensures the citrus segments stay intact rather than turning into mush.
03 -
- Supreming the citrus instead of slicing rounds makes for a neater eating experience.
- Adding pomegranate seeds gives a festive pop of color and crunch.