Recipe: Frisee & Fennel Salad With Mint

adapted from Epicurious

1/4 cup pine nuts (optional)

1 medium fennel bulb, stalks and fronds removed, and base trimmed

6 ounces red butter lettuce, roughly chopped

6 ounces frisée, torn into 2-inch pieces

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot

1 teaspoon coarse-grain Dijon mustard

Salt & Freshly ground black pepper

 

Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

Spread pine nuts in a small baking sheet and bake until pale golden, about 8 minutes. Let cool.

Using mandoline (or very sharp knife),  thinly slice fennel bulb crosswise, beginning at base, into a large bowl, stopping about halfway up bulb (reserve remaining bulb for another use). Toss fennel with lettuce, frisée, and mint.

Whisk together oil, vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Toss salad well with vinaigrette and pine nuts. Season to taste, if necessary, with salt and pepper.