Strawberry Lychee Salad with Shaved Fennel and Arugula

Summertime is a fabulous time for not only super fresh produce but also the ability to get your hands on some of the delicious rarities that are in limited production throughout the year.  This salad makes a fun and flavorful appetizer or side dish.  For a luncheon, throw in some grilled chicken* and you'll be all set for a main course.  You can use candied walnut bought at your local market, but check out our recipes for and Spiced Nuts** which make great munchies on their own but make the simplest salads even better.

Strawberry Lychee Salad with Shaved Fennel and Arugula

Serves 2 as side dish or appetizer

8-12 Lychee fruit, skins and pits removed

1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

1/4 cup shaved fennel tossed with 1/2 juiced navel orange

2 cups arugula

1/2 cup candied or spiced nuts

reduced balsamic (optional)

Dressing:

1/2 navel orange, juiced

1 Tablespoon honey (acai preferred, but whatever your favorite is)

1 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (use a better balsamic for this)
1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil (use a better extra virgin for this)

salt and pepper to taste

Depending on the season and the ripeness of berries and lychee, you may want to sprinkle them with a bit of sugar and allow to sit for 20 minutes minimum if they are bitter.

Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing, adding the oil last in a slow and steady stream.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Toss the arugula with enough dressing to coat.  Divide between two plates.

Top each plate of arugula first with fennel, then strawberries, lychee, and last the nuts.  Drizzle with extra dressing and reduced balsamic, if using.

*To make a lunch or dinner, add grilled chicken, cold or warm, add after the layer of fennel and then commence layering the strawberries, lychees, and nuts.

**If you have a problem locating a recipe on the site, as we are still developing the format and publishing some of our "basics", please feel free to contact us by email, facebook, etc and we will happily share the recipe you are seeking.