Fennel meets apple and it’s love at first sight.  This is a simple to make tasty recipe based on the herb called fennel which has health benefits including reduction of free radicals and inflammation.

Fennel Salad Recipe

1 Granny Smith Apple shaved thin on mandolin
1 Fennel Bulb shaved thin on mandolin
2 Celery Stalks shaved thin on mandolin
3 tbsp Olive Oil
3 tbsp Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Honey

Himalayan Pink Sea Salt to taste
Fennel fronds to garnish
Combine apple, fennel and celery in large bowl. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice and honey. Sprinkle salt and fronds overtop and enjoy! (Optional: Add chopped walnuts for a nutty flavour and an extra crunch)

*Salad may be made in advance, but do not add salt until just before serving.

Why Fennel?
Fennel is an herb with a mild but distinctive licorice flavor and fragrance.   It is full of vitamin C plus minerals including potassium, an electrolyte that fights high blood pressure, and folate, which helps convert potentially dangerous molecules called homocysteine into a benign form.   The vitamin C by itself has the strength to zap free radicals looking for a place to cause damage in the body, usually in the form of inflammation, which could lead to joint degeneration and arthritis.  The dietary fiber in fennel limits cholesterol build-up, absorbs water in the digestive system, and helps eliminate carcinogens from the colon, possibly preventing colon cancer. Several other nutrients play supportive roles, namely manganese, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.

Recipe designer – Vicky Gosse
Photo credit – Georgia Gosse