Food Recipe
Light, crisp, and bursting with fresh flavors, this apple & fennel salad is the perfect match for Dr. L Sparkling Riesling. The bubbles enhance the salad’s bright citrus and herbaceous notes, while the wine’s crisp acidity complements the sweet apples, anise-scented fennel, and crunchy walnuts. A light honey-mustard dressing ties everything together, making this salad refreshing, elegant, and effortlessly delicious.
For a non-alcohol pairing, we suggest trying this with the Dr. Lo Riesling with Bubbles!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- 1 small fennel bulb, thinly shaved (fronds reserved for garnish)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
- 2 oz goat cheese or Parmesan shavings (optional, for extra creaminess!)
- 2 cups baby arugula or mixed greens
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Dressing:
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (for a bright, citrusy lift!)
- 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar (balances the fruitiness!)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (adds depth & zing!)
- 1 teaspoon honey (just a hint of sweetness to complement the wine!)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil until the dressing emulsifies.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, toss together apple slices, fennel, red onion, and greens.
- Dress & garnish: Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to coat. Top with toasted walnuts, goat cheese (if using), and reserved fennel fronds.
- Serve immediately with a chilled glass of Dr. L Sparkling Riesling.
The bright acidity & bubbles of Dr. L Sparkling Riesling balance the sweetness of the apples and the richness of the cheese.