Last Minute T-Day Side or Healthy Snack

November 22, 2010   7 Comments

Kill it on Turkey day with a fresh side that goes with everything, takes 10 minutes to make, and will WOW your guests.

Snack Girl is not joking. One Thanksgiving, I made this salad and got more compliments on it than the turkey that I slaved over. And, yes, I learned something.

Use 2 ingredients that are in season RIGHT NOW: navel oranges and fennel. For those of you who aren't familiar with fennel here is a photo:

It tastes like anise and has the same consistency as celery. It is SO delicious when combined with citrus.

(Here is a dull but helpful video on how to clean fennel: Fennel Video)

The flavors complement each other to give this sweet and crunchy salad that will provide a respite from the heavier food on your table.

You can add a little vinegar or you can skip it. To save time on Thanksgiving, slice the ingredients a day ahead and then put in a bowl in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, add the vinegar, taste, and decide if it needs salt or anything else.

There is no doubt that this salad will be the least calorific food on your table. Also, it makes a great snack. You can make a bowl of it and just serve yourself some any time or toss into a container for your lunch box.

Here are my other two suggestions for Turkey Day:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cranberry Horseradish Relish

Do you have any last minute T-Day ideas?

Orange and Fennel Salad

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

1.6 from 24 reviews

(serves 8)
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar or white vinegar
5 navel oranges
2 pounds fennel bulbs
salt (to taste)

1. Slice the fennel. Trim the ends, quarter lengthwise, core, and thinly slice. Chop 1/4 cup of the green fronds for looks.

2. Slice the oranges. Using a cutting board that captures juices, slice off both ends of each orange. Cut away the peel and the white pith so you are left with the ORANGE of the orange. Halve orange from top to bottom; thinly slice crosswise.

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Ingredients

3. Place oranges and fennel in bowl with juices that accumulated on cutting board. Store until ready to serve. At serving time, mix in vinegar and salt to taste.

Instructions

89 calories, 0.4 g fat, 21.8 g carbohydrates, 2.5 g protein, 6.3 g fiber, 0 Points+

Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes

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