Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Giada's Dating Tips for the Bachelor

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (58)

Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: 5 min
Cook: 10 min
Total:: 30 min

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Ingredients

1 bulb fennel, halved and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
5 slices pancetta
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 ounces (about 6 to 7 cups) mixed salad greens
Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, toss together fennel, pancetta, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the ingredients on the baking sheet in a single layer. Cook until the pancetta is crisp and the fennel is caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, place the salad greens, crumbled pancetta, and caramelized fennel. Toss the salad with the Red Wine Vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Red Wine Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.

Yield: scant 1/2 cup

Prep Time: 5 minutes

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
Michelle Port St. Lucie, FL 10-21-2009
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Giada at Her Best!!!!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This salad is sooo delicious and easy! The mixture of sweet/salty with the healthy greens is nice. Next time I will leave... the salt out of the dressing and cut the olive oil down to 2 tablespoonsful. I can't wait to make this salad again!Read more
recipe Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
Tara Benbrook, TX 10-21-2009
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Amazing
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is a regular meal at my home. I use bacon instead of pancetta, to cut down on costs. I also add a pinch of red pepper... flakes to the bacon and fennell before roasting to give it some bite. My husband loves it. We serve it as a main course to bulk up on our veggies during the week. Delicious! Read more
recipe Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
A Jupiter, FL 10-08-2009
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Freakin Reakin Goodness
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My husband and I loved this salad. Instead of using the pancetta we used pastrami and it still turned out great. The mix of... flavors was so delicious I wish I could have more.Read more
recipe Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
jessie pleasant hill, CA 09-30-2009
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FANTASTIC
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

WONDERFUL COMBINATION THE TART FROM THE VINAIGRETTE REALLY PLAYS OFF OF THE SWEETNESS OF THE CARAMELIZED FENNEL AND PANCETTA ... GREAT HARMONY OF INGREDIENTS Read more
recipe Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
Erica Florence, NJ 08-29-2009
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Super Tasty
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was awesome! I found that thicker cut pancetta works best and I cut my fennel into smaller pieces. Although it didn't... really caramalize for me (even after I turned my broiler on to get some caramelness), it was still so easy and tasty! I am going to make this for all of my holiday dinners it is just that good.Read more
recipe Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
Audrey Katy, TX 08-17-2009
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this one is a winner
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

some giada recipes i have made did not turn out as good as i had hoped, but this one is a winner. this is the first time i... tried fennel, and i'm now a fan of cooked fennel. this salad is healthy and a great salad to have once a week. easy to make as well. yum!Read more