Recipe: Fennel, green apple and watercress salad

Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Note: Adapted from A Voce in New York. Roasted Marcona almonds are available at Trader Joe’s and Bristol Farms stores.

1 small bulb fennel, thinly sliced lengthwise

3 stalks celery, sliced about 1/2-inch thick

1 green apple, cored and very thinly sliced

4 basil leaves, washed and cut into thin strips

1/4 cup good-quality olive oil

Juice and zest of 2 small lemons

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 bunches watercress, picked and washed

3/8 cup roasted Marcona almonds

1/4 cup golden raisins, soaked in warm water to soften and drained

2 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1 tablespoon fine, dry bread crumbs

1. In a large bowl, combine the fennel, celery, apple and basil and toss to mix. Add the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper and toss to combine completely.

2. Just before serving, add the watercress, almonds and raisins and toss again. Divide among six salad bowls.

3. Combine the cheese and bread crumbs and sprinkle over the salads. Serve.

Each serving: 203 calories; 6 grams protein; 16 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 15 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 3 mg. cholesterol; 382 mg. sodium.