Jicama, Orange, and Fennel Salad

Sunday evening we had an impromptu dinner party. Very "Hey, I just bought all of these ingredients and it'll make a bunch, let's invite friends!" So we did.  I followed Shutterbean's recipe for homemade pizza and paired it with Moosewood's Jicama, Orange, and Fennel Salad. I know it's in bad taste to "try out" recipes on friends, but I was confident and calm and I've been drinking lots of water and getting great nights of sleep! I was up to the challenge.

Jicama is a crazy huge root vegetable that tastes like a raw potato. It's not my favorite thing, but once peeled and cut up it added a delicate crunch to the salad.  Fennel bulb is one of my all-time favorite flavor punches.  Without a mandolin, it is difficult to slice thinly (almost typed "thin slicely") but I did my best and nearly hit the mark.

The salad also has slices of orange, a little arugula and spinach, and a very simple balsamic dressing. The recipe describes plating the salads elaborately with starbursts of spinach laid out and drizzles of dressing on each plate. I went the easy route and tossed everything together. Next time I will be fancy!

Potato-Fennel Soup

Today I made Potato-Fennel Soup with browned onions. It made for an excellent lunch and a nice break from the heavy foods of the holidays. It was really easy: brown onions, add fennel and sliced potatoes, simmer with water, serve with a little sour cream on top. It took less than an hour to make and was a lovely lunch.