Fennel, Pomegranate, and Arugula Salad

Fennel, Pomegranate, and Arugula Salad with a Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Recipe. 

This fennel, pomegranate, and arugula (and other baby greens) salad is both gorgeous and delicious. The salad is super crunchy from the fennel and the celery, and the honey mustard vinaigrette with champagne vinegar is tangy and delicious.

I have vague memories of eating home grown pomegranates and getting the juice all over my hands (and my clothes). Our southern California climate is perfect for growing pomegranate trees. It is an amazing fruit, and I just wish I had more room in our tiny yard so I could plant a pomegranate tree.

Evidently, the pomegranate is also rumored to be a seductive fruit, according to The Daily Meal.

For example, the first pomegranate tree was rumored to have been planted by Aphrodite. In fact, some scholars believe that the apple that Eve tempted Adam with in the Bible was actually a pomegranate.

I've also read that in Turkish weddings of the past, the bride tossed a pomegranate to the ground and the amount of seeds that spill out represented the number of children that she will bear.

Knowing the pomegranate's history, I made this salad for this week's From Our Dinner Table Sunday recipe round up. The theme is Valentine's day. I'm pretty sure that the gorgeous color of the pomegranate arils in the salad and the allegedly "romantic" nature of the fruit would be a lovely addition to a Valentine's day dinner.

This is a great make-ahead salad

To make this salad in advance, just assemble the veggies and pomegranate arils in a bowl and refrigerate. Next, mix the vinaigrette ingredients, emulsify, and then refrigerate. About 20 minutes before serving the salad, bring the dressing to room temperature. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to combine.

This is my new favorite salad. I now wish pomegranates were available year round!

Be sure to check out the rest of the From Our Dinner Table Valentine's Day recipe contributions:

Valentine's Day Recipes

• Double Chocolate Caramel Cookies by The Freshman Cook
• Fennel, Pomegranate, and Arugula Salad by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Pebernødder by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Red Velvet Brownies by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Shrimp with Champagne Butter Sauce by Our Good Life
• Smoked Gouda Fondue by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Splenda Chocolate Cupcakes by Palatable Pastime
• Stuffed Country Chicken Breasts by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Sweet & Salty Valentine's Day Popcorn mix by Books n' Cooks
• Valentine Cookie Pops by Family Around the Table

We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table!  Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, follow our Pinterest board, too!

How do you seed a pomegranate?

There are so many tricks and tips, but for me, the best way is to cut the pomegranate into quarters and  place them in a bowl of water. Dig out the arils with a small spoon or your fingers and then strain them from the water.

There are also non-staining pomegranates available. In this case, just cut the fruit into quarters and dig the arils out with a small spoon.

salad, pomegranate

Salad

American

Yield: 4 to 6 servingsAuthor: Karen Kerr

Fennel, Pomegranate, and Arugula Salad

ingredients

For the Vinaigrette

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons champagne (or white wine) vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Salad

• 6 cups baby greens (arugula and spinach, plus other baby greens)
• 1 small fennel bulb, fronds removed, and thinly sliced
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

instructions

To Make the Vinaigrette

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, champagne vinegar, honey, and salt. Add the olive oil and whisk briskly until emulsified. 

To Make the Salad

1. Place the baby greens on a platter. 
2. Top the greens with the fennel and celery.
3. Sprinkle the top with the pomegranate arils. 
4. Top with the vinaigrette to taste and toss. 
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.  
6. Serve the salad with more dressing on the side. 

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2019/01/fennel-pomegranate-and-arugula-salad.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

Created using The Recipes Generator

Recipe adapted from Pretty Simple Cooking: 100 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Make You Fall in Love with Real Food