This fresh and crisp salad has an aromatic pistachio-Asiago dressing that you’ll want to put on everything! It’s bright, it’s zesty, and it’s perfect for a summer lunch or a unique side dish. It’s fancy and so easy to make! (Video below)
🌿 Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons raw pistachios
- 1/2 cup Asiago cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small bulb fennel, sliced thin (reserve 1/4 cup fronds for garnish)
- 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced thin
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- Fresh Italian parsley, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 splash EVOO for garnish
- 12 pecorino slices (for serving, optional but you really should do it! lol)
✨ Let’s Make It Magic:
- Blend! In a food processor or blender, start by blending the raw pistachios until they form a relatively smooth paste.
- Add the Cheese & Oil: Now, add the grated Asiago cheese and drizzle in the the 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Blend again until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy.
- Toss & Combine: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the thinly sliced Granny Smith apple and the thinly sliced fennel bulb with your freshly blended pistachio-Asiago mixture.
- Season & Serve: Season with fresh lemon juice and zest. Add kosher salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting until the flavors sing like this lalalalal! lol
- Garnish & Enjoy: Garnish with the reserved fennel fronds and chopped fresh Italian parsley. For an extra touch of richness, add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately, perhaps with some thin slices of Pecorino cheese on the side or shaved on top.
Fennel: Your Body’s Best Friend!
Beyond its distinct, slightly licorice-like flavor, fennel is a nutritional powerhouse! This crisp, aromatic bulb is packed with Vitamin C, great for boosting your immune system. It’s also a fantastic source of fiber, which is excellent for digestive health, and it contains potassium, which is important for blood pressure. Historically, fennel has been used for centuries for its digestive properties and to freshen breath. It’s a natural diuretic and full of antioxidants, making it a wonderful addition to your diet for overall wellness.
Asiago: A Taste of Italian History!
Now, let’s talk about Asiago cheese – because a cheese with history always tastes better, right? Asiago is an Italian cow’s milk cheese that originated in the Asiago Plateau in the Veneto region of northern Italy, dating back as far as the 10th century!
Originally, it was a mountain cheese made from sheep’s milk, but over time, as cattle farming became more prevalent, it transitioned to cow’s milk. The taste of Asiago really depends on its age. When it’s young (Asiago Fresco), it’s soft, creamy, and has a sweet, milky flavor, almost like a cross between fresh mozzarella and provolone. As it ages (Asiago d’Allevo), it becomes harder, more crumbly, and develops a rich, nutty, and slightly sharp flavor – perfect for grating or shaving, like we do here! It’s incredibly versatile and adds that perfect punch of savory depth to this dish.
So, there you have it! A fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly simple dish that’s sure to impress. Give this Fennel & Apple toss a try and let me know what you think!
