Strawberry-Fennel Salad with Long Pepper
Bright strawberry and fennel salad with long pepper, feta, and honey-lemon dressing. Quick, crisp, and great with grilled fish.
Sweet, juicy strawberries and the heat of the long pepper make for an interesting and tasty flavor profile. The small bits of crushed long pepper pop and crunch in your mouth. Creamy feta mellows out the pepper tingle, and the onions and fennel keep the dish crisp and light. This dish would pair nicely with some grilled fish and white wine.
Yield: 3-4 servings
- Sweet strawberries, crunchy fennel, and long pepper create a bright mix of sweet, crisp, and warm spice.
- Dressing is simple: equal parts honey, olive oil, and lemon juice. Dissolve honey in lemon first and add Dijon to stabilize.
- Prep long pepper by breaking and grinding it, make dressing ahead, and toss the salad just before serving for best texture.
Spices
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Preparation Instructions:
thespicehouse.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is long pepper and how does it taste?
Long pepper is a dried spice that looks like a small spike. It has a warm, complex heat with fruity and slightly sweet notes, milder and more layered than plain black pepper.
How do I grind or prep long pepper for the salad?
Break the pepper into smaller bits, then use a pepper mill, mortar and pestle, or a dedicated spice grinder. If using a coffee grinder, clean it well before and after. Grind just before serving to keep the crunch and aroma.
I do not have long pepper. What can I use instead?
Use freshly ground black pepper as a straight swap. For more of the fruity quality, add a tiny pinch of ground allspice or ground ginger. Start light and taste, since black pepper can be sharper.
What is the dressing ratio and how do I keep it from separating?
Use equal parts honey, olive oil, and lemon juice. Dissolve the honey in the lemon first, then whisk in the oil slowly. Adding a small spoon of Dijon mustard helps emulsify and keeps it from separating.
Can I make this salad or dressing ahead of time?
You can make the dressing up to a week ahead and refrigerate it. The salad itself is best tossed and served within an hour so strawberries stay fresh and fennel stays crisp.
How can I make this dish vegan or dairy free?
Swap feta for a vegan feta or crumbled toasted nuts like almonds or pistachios for cream and texture. The honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a fully vegan dressing.
What should I serve this salad with?
It pairs well with grilled fish, roasted chicken, or as a bright side for a summer meal. A chilled dry white wine complements the fruit and pepper heat nicely.
How do I keep the salad balanced between sweet, tart, and spicy?
Taste as you build it. Add lemon juice for more brightness, more honey if too tart, and sprinkle long pepper bit by bit until you reach a pleasant warm tingle rather than overpowering heat.
What is long pepper and how does it taste?
Long pepper is a dried spice that looks like a small spike. It has a warm, complex heat with fruity and slightly sweet notes, milder and more layered than plain black pepper.
How do I grind or prep long pepper for the salad?
Break the pepper into smaller bits, then use a pepper mill, mortar and pestle, or a dedicated spice grinder. If using a coffee grinder, clean it well before and after. Grind just before serving to keep the crunch and aroma.
I do not have long pepper. What can I use instead?
Use freshly ground black pepper as a straight swap. For more of the fruity quality, add a tiny pinch of ground allspice or ground ginger. Start light and taste, since black pepper can be sharper.
What is the dressing ratio and how do I keep it from separating?
Use equal parts honey, olive oil, and lemon juice. Dissolve the honey in the lemon first, then whisk in the oil slowly. Adding a small spoon of Dijon mustard helps emulsify and keeps it from separating.
Can I make this salad or dressing ahead of time?
You can make the dressing up to a week ahead and refrigerate it. The salad itself is best tossed and served within an hour so strawberries stay fresh and fennel stays crisp.
How can I make this dish vegan or dairy free?
Swap feta for a vegan feta or crumbled toasted nuts like almonds or pistachios for cream and texture. The honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a fully vegan dressing.
What should I serve this salad with?
It pairs well with grilled fish, roasted chicken, or as a bright side for a summer meal. A chilled dry white wine complements the fruit and pepper heat nicely.
How do I keep the salad balanced between sweet, tart, and spicy?
Taste as you build it. Add lemon juice for more brightness, more honey if too tart, and sprinkle long pepper bit by bit until you reach a pleasant warm tingle rather than overpowering heat.
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