Baby Butter Lettuce and Fennel Spring Salad

 

Spring is a great time to enjoy a light, crunchy salad of baby butter lettuce, fennel, asparagus, radish, and avocado dill dressing. This whole food plant-based (WFPB) dish is both scrumptious and healthy.

 

Research shows the fresher and more color-rich the produce, the healthier it is to eat. 

Fruits and vegetables that are grown locally, allowed to ripen naturally, and consumed shortly after harvesting, contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, than produce that has to be transported from far away.

 

Locally grown in-season fruits and veggies are usually less expensive, more eco-friendly, and makes simple ingredients pop with flavor.

 

I prefer to buy organic produce, whenever possible, because organic farming works in harmony to sustain a healthy, fertile, and biologically active environment, one that is kind to people, animals, and our planet.

 

Baby Butter Lettuce and Fennel Spring Salad

Fresh, Crisp, and Clean!

Light, yet Nutrient Dense and Delicious!

Oil-free, Sugar-free, Gluten-free, and Vegan!

Smart Choice for Lunch or Dinner!

 

Ingredients for Salad:

 

6 cups baby green and/or red butter lettuce

1 large bulb fennel sliced thin

1 bunch red or multicolored radishes sliced thin

1 medium chopped sweet onion or 4-5 chopped scallions (optional)

16 stalks cooked asparagus (select stalks that are thin. Those are the most tender)

1 seedless cucumber chopped (optional)

Ingredients for Avocado Dill

Dressing:

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup water

1 large or 2 small avocados

1/2 cup fresh chopped dill

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and fresh ground black pepper to taste

 

What to do-

 

1. Wash and prep all salad ingredients.

2. Place them in a covered salad bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

3. Right before serving, whisk, blend, mash, or process the salad dressing ingredients together, and pour over salad. Toss and serve immediately.

This recipe serves four people. Refrigerate extra portions, but use within a day or two.

 

Questions and Answers About Main Ingredients

What is fennel?

Fennel is a member of the carrot family, though not a root vegetable. The base grows above ground into a thick, crisp bulb. Above the bulb, you’ll see stalks with light, feathery leaves that resemble dill. 

When fennel goes to seed, it produces small yellow flowers among the leaves. Every part of the fennel plant is edible.

 

Recipes most often use the bulb, but you can finely mince the fronds to use as an aromatic garnish for salads, soups, or pasta. If you prefer, save the fennel stalks and leaves to add a sweet note to homemade vegetable broth.

 

Fennel may look like a feather-topped, potbellied relative to celery. However, its flavor is remarkably different. 

The white bulb and bright green fronds have a gentle, slightly sweet anise (licorice) flavor. It's crunchy, cleansing, and refreshing to the palate. It's a great addition to any salad.

 

 

Why are asparagus a wonderful veggie?

Asparagus tastes yummy and is so healthy. It's easy to prepare, has a pleasing texture, and tastes naturally sweet. See how to cook asparagus properly, and nutrition facts at  Asparagus Spring Veggie for Wellness.

Why use an avocado instead of oil in salad dressing?

Reducing overall oil from our diet is a heart-healthy move. Although avocados are high in fat, they contain “good” fats like omega-3 fatty acids that make us feel full and reduce the urge to overeat. 

 Avocado is a green fleshed fruit that is nutrient dense and tastes sensual. 

Enjoy recipes that include avocados, as you’ll get nutrients including vitamins C, E, K, and B-6,potassium, niacin, folate, magnesium and more. For more about avocados see Benefits of Eating Avocados with Serving Ideas.

 

When is a good time to use dill?

Dill can elevate the flavor of various dishes, and is commonly found in European and Asian cuisines.

Dill's flavor diminishes rapidly during the cooking process, so it is most often added to hot dishes at the end of cooking or used in cold dishes including salads, pickles, and dressings.

Why is baby butter lettuce delicious?

 

This variety of lettuce is at its peak in the spring and fall and flavorful during March, April, and May. The leaves are soft, tender, and mildly sweet. Each leaf is approximately half the size of regular size butter lettuce. The smaller size makes it attractive, more tender, and easier to prepare. 

When this type of lettuce is not available, use Bibb or red or green leaf lettuce as a substitute.

Baby butter lettuce is nutritious, colorful, and adds fiber and plant-powered protein to salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish for other dishes.

Baby butter lettuce is a good source of calcium, iron, potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. One quarter cup (85g) has 20 calories, and is a fat-free whole food way to get many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

What type of radishes are used in this recipe?

The radishes in this recipe are round shaped ones (called Easter egg radishes) that are red, purple, and white skin colors with white flesh. They have a slightly peppery taste. 

Their spicy flavor adds balance and contrast to the salad's sweetness. 

Radish plants grow with swollen tap roots, which can be globular, tapering, or cylindrical. Root skin colors range from white through pink, red, purple, yellow, and green to black, but the flesh is usually white.

🥗

This recipe allows for flexibility. No matter how you toss it or which optional ingredients you include or omit, Baby Butter Lettuce and Fennel Spring Salad is a treat to eat!

Before you go, please leave a comment in the space below.

Do you eat a salad every day? Please share your answer below in the comment section.

What's your favorite springtime salad and what veggies do you like to  include?

I love to eat many types of salad. Salads are easy to prepare, and help me get my 2.5 cup daily portion of veggies recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2000-2024. 

As long as I’m "eating the rainbow" with a diverse, fresh array of vegetables and not adding food toppings like bacon bits and deep fried onion rings, or high saturated fat salad dressing, I'm good to go.

I read and appreciate every comment, but won't be able to publish those that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

Like what you see? Get tips and ideas for living a happier, healthier life on my Facebook page, Pinterest location , and Website too. 

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Brilliant Ways to Declutter This Season

 

The start of a new season is a great time to do a thorough declutter to put your home, mind, and spirit more at ease. A cluttered home environment can create chaos, tension, and unmanageability.

 

Look below for 24 brilliant yet simple ways to declutter your home spring, summer, fall, and winter. 

1. Before you begin, think about the change of season and the items you’ve just finished using, and those that are suitable for the coming months. 

2. Adopt a minimalist mindset, and ask yourself if you really need each thing that's crowding your space. The less seasonal clothing, blankets, pillows, sports equipment, toys and games, pots and pans, etc. you save for a rainy day, the clearer your view. 

3. Cultivate a desire for quality over quantity. This attitude can help you appreciate what you already own, and champion only those items that are well made, functional, and/or beautiful.

4. Tackle one small messy area at a time. Schedule and devote 10-15 minutes for decluttering the first day. Then gradually build up to any increment of time that suits you. 

5. Set a daily goal and jot it down on your calendar or planner. 

6. As you work, place unwanted stuff into donation, recycling, or garbage bags. Take each out of your house that day, and bring it to the appropriate place. 

7. At first, select those areas where it is easier for you to make decisions. Even small amounts of progress breed more success.

8. Pace yourself to avoid overwhelm. Just remember you need to persevere ( walk the walk), if you want to see results.

9. Check the expiration dates on make-up and grooming products. Dump out those that are ancient, caked or are a glob, smell bad, don't work.

10. Check medicine cabinet, bathrooms, and other places where you store prescription or over the counter medicines. 

Use proper disposal methods for expired or unwanted medications. Before you do, read "Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines."

11. In the kitchen, look at your spice and herb inventory to see what needs to be dumped in the compost pile, replaced, or swapped or donated to a friend, family member, or charity. Even unopened spices loose their potency after a few years. For details read “Do Spices Go Bad?"

12. Go through your pantry and refrigerator and get rid of anything that’s stale, moldy, or know you and your family won’t eat. Unopened foodstuffs are a welcome addition to food pantries, food drives, etc.

13. Do the same for unopened cleaning materials you can't use. Check with a local charity, church, or homeless shelter to see whether they will accept them. If they agree, that day bring them to them.

14. In your home office, go as paperless as possible. Cancel print newspaper and magazine subscriptions, and read them on-line instead.

15. Convert paper bank statements, utility bills, stock brokerage account statements, etc. into e-statements to reduce clutter and your paper trail.

 

See "Feng Shui Tips to Refresh Home's Chi" for additional ideas to help you simply.

 

16. Remove broken chairs, tables, and chipped or stained furniture. If you love certain pieces, spend the time and energy to fix them. Donate or recycle the rest.

17. When your living room, bedroom, or dining room is untidy or overcrowded with dirty clothes and dishes, rugs, drapes, throw pillows, throw blankets, or too many plants, clean, reduce, release, and breathe. 

18. Gloves, vests, coats, shoes, and boots can crowd rooms, closets, drawers, shelves, hooks, and nooks and crannies. Simply your collection and feel the energy flow.

19. Upcycle, trade, donate, or sell those things that are in good condition but you don't need or want. Consider using worn or stained items as cleaning and dusting rags.

20. Shred old financial records, and donate unwanted books, clothing, and excess knick-knacks. These moves can help you feel less cramped and more comfortable in your living space.

21. Follow the old adage, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” You'll be able to see what you have, and reduce anxiety and time spent searching for misplaced things. 

22. Do you misplace your car or house key often? To remedy the situation, designate a basket or wall mounted key holder near the front door to store keys. This move is sure to contribute to greater peace of mind.

23. If it's hard to keep up the decluttering momentum, find a friend or relative who is willing to help you weed out junk. 

This person can hold you accountable to your decluttering schedule and lend a hand with tasks. They also won't likely experience the same emotional attachment to certain things, and can offer an unbiased opinion about whether you should keep or release them.

24. Get with the program and focus on getting rid of unwanted possessions to create an organized, streamlined living space. You are entitled to live with less stress and find serenity, pleasure, and happiness by living well and clutter-free.

Want more? See the related post, "Tips to Make Deep Kitchen Cleaning Green and Healthy." 

Do you think, feel, believe, or recognize places in your home that are cluttered or getting out of control? Please explain below in the comment section.

Have you made strides curbing impulse spending and/or come out of denial about how much clutter you have accumulated? Please share about that below too.

What ways to reduce or prevent clutter mentioned, are most relevant and helpful to you? Please comment below.

I read and appreciate every comment, but can not publish those that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

Thanks for the visit, and please share the love on social media.

This post is a feature at the April 2024 Edition of The Hearth and Soul Link Party

This post has been shared at Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #526

This post has been shared at Senior Salon Pit Stop #304

 This post has been shared at Senior Salon Pit Stop #303

This post has been shared at Senior Salon Pit Stop#302

This post has been shared at Happiness is Homemade #523

This post has been shared at Creative Muster Link-Up Party 579

This post has been shared at InLinkz 300 Senior Salon Pit Stop

This post has been shared at March 2024 Edition of Hearth and Soul Link Party