Watercress Salad With Pistachios Recipe
A refreshing and crisp Watercress Salad with crunchy radishes and fennel, dressed in a tangy honey-mustard vinaigrette and topped with salted roasted pistachios for a delightful texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 small bunch radishes (about 6), trimmed
- 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, quartered, and cored
- 3 bunches watercress, tough stems trimmed (about 12 cups)
Dressing
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp whole-grain mustard
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Toppings
- 1/2 cup salted roasted pistachios, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Fill a large bowl with ice water. Thinly slice the radishes and fennel, preferably using a mandoline for even, thin slices. Add the sliced vegetables to the ice water and let them soak for 10 minutes to crisp up. After soaking, drain and pat the vegetables very dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
- Make the Dressing: In a large serving bowl, whisk together the honey, white balsamic vinegar, whole-grain mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Add the drained radishes, fennel, and trimmed watercress to the dressing in the serving bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the greens and vegetables evenly with the dressing.
- Add Pistachios: Sprinkle the finely chopped salted roasted pistachios over the salad and toss lightly again to distribute the nuts throughout the salad.
Notes
- Using a mandoline ensures thin, even slices for better texture and presentation.
- Soaking sliced radishes and fennel in ice water adds crispness, enhancing the salad’s refreshing quality.
- Patting vegetables dry is important to prevent watering down the dressing.
- For a nut-free version, omit pistachios or substitute with toasted seeds.
- The salad is best served immediately to maintain the crisp texture of the watercress and vegetables.
