Ingredients from The Fresh Market

As promised, I said I would let you know what I made with the ingredients from my Fresh Market visit. Before I start, let me tell you about fennel. I personally was so afraid to try fennel. I really do not care for licorice. So when chefs (on the food network) would say it has that kind of taste, I just wouldn't try it. The thing is, I've just seen it used over and over again. And my motto is, try everything at least once. So, I tried it, I loved it. I can see where it might not be for everyone. My daughter does not like it at all. I think you have to try it prepared in different ways. I tried roasted fennel, not for me, at least not the way I prepared it. I will try it again. My favorite is raw. Let me tell you what I mean. This is how I used my ingredients.

I made a simple fennel salad, set on top of arugula, topped with a lemon Dijon vinaigrette.

The bulb (white part) of fennel Chopped into small bite size pieces
Mandarin oranges, peeled apart and each segment cut in half
Apples cut into bite size pieces, I used red delicious
Red Onion chopped (not too fine)
Cilantro (rough chop)
Fresh mint (fine chop)

Vinaigrette
Fresh lemon first zest and then squeeze (I squeezed 2, zest of 1)
1 Tbls Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp honey
Kosher salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
mix together and slowly add EVOO to consistency right for you.

Pour that over salad mixture above and let marinate in refrigerator for at least 1/2 hour.
You can put as much or as little on your salad as you like. You don't have to worry about setting your plate down in front of the Iron Chef and/or Chopped judges. Do what you like.

I served over a bed of arugula. We ate our salad with seared scallops on the side. Not your normal meal, with rice or potato or veggies. But hey, we're at home and we eat what we eat.

By the way, the peppered goat cheese, peppered salami, both went on the onion pocket rolls for a sandwich. I added a little mustard, on the salami side of the sami. It was good, different, but good. I'll have it again.

Today I am going with friends to Brunch and the Broadway show Wicked. I'll get back to you on what I thought of both. Till then, happy cooking, happy eating, happy Day!