Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad

Faith Durand

Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad

I first saw this winter Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad in Bon Appétit, where the description of fresh, lemony flavor with crisp winter vegetables earned it a place on my "to-try" recipe list.

I made this winter salad during a recent weekend, and it's already a favorite winter salad. The flavors come together in a crunchy, tender, tart and oddly creamy combination.

Here I present an adapted version of the Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad recipe -- I think it might be a new favorite for you too.

I've never had a salad quite like this. It's crunchy and soft at the same time, with salty, creamy cheese and white beans. There's a fresh, sweet taste from the lemon zest and enough acidity from the vinegar to keep things interesting. It can stand alone as a meal, with those beans. And it's wonderfully healthy yet satisfying.

I adapted this recipe to make it easier to shop for and cook. The original Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad recipe called for very precise measurements of lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper. I found this frankly fussy and an impediment to putting the salad together quickly. I also changed the herbs and substituted fennel for endive.

Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 2 minutes

Yield: Serves 6

Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad Recipe Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil

2 long sprigs fresh thyme

1 lemon

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 small head of cauliflower

1 (15-ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed (can substitute with 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans)

1 fennel bulb

Handful fresh chives

Handful fresh parsley

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salad Recipe Directions

Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan.

Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the thyme sprigs and then slide them through your fingers to remove just the thyme leaves. Cook in the hot olive oil just for a few moments, or until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Zest the lemon and set aside the zest. Juice the lemon and whisk the juice and vinegar together.

Chop or shred the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.

Drain and rinse the beans.

Chop and shave the fennel bulb using a mandoline or a chef's knife.

Mince the chives and parsley.

Combine cauliflower, beans, fennel, chives, parsley and thyme oil in a large bowl and toss.

Mix in cheese. Add lemon juice mixture and toss to coat. Season salad to taste with kosher salt and black pepper.

Faith Durand in managing editor of TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking.

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Cauliflower, Fennel and White Bean Winter Salads - Recipe

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