The pastel shades of this Shaved Apple and Radish Salad just scream spring — it’s perfect for a Mother’s Day or Easter brunch, or maybe a date night dinner for two — I feel lighter and healthier just looking at it!
*This Shaved Apple and Radish Salad is in association with O Olive Oil — if you haven’t experienced this line of gourmet artisan oils and vinegar you are truly missing out.
Have you had a shaved salad? They are so pretty and delicious. Instead of a bowl of greens, this type of salad is created by cutting vegetables — and in this case fruit — into paper thin slices on a mandoline. The slices are so thin that even veggies that are usually served cooked can be eaten raw. There are endless combinations that make this a really fun concept to experiment with. I chose a rather simple one to start with. The sweetness of the apple goes nicely with the sharper radishes. A bit of mint, some buttery slivers of Wisconsin cheddar, and toasted hazelnuts finish this off with panache.
As I’ve said so many times, though, it’s the dressing that makes the salad, and for this one I turned to my collection of O olive oils and vinegars. Their Honey Apple Vinegar is incredible — pop the cork and take a whiff, the scent of cider and honey is heavenly. For this type of salad you don’t want anything heavy, so I just made a simple vinaigrette with the Honey Apple vinegar and O’s Extra Virgin olive oil. Delish!!
Shaved salads are super healthy and have lots of potential for creativity, both visually and in terms of flavors and textures. They’re different from slaws in that the ingredients are cut into paper thin slices rather than shredded. It makes a nice special occasion dish because the presentation can be spectacular.
In this case I’ve used a small Gala apple and two types of radishes, along with fresh mint and toasted hazelnuts. The colorful Watermelon radish has rays of fuchsia inside a pale green rind, it’s one of those specialty veggies that is becoming more popular and therefore more available every year. Ask your produce manager about them.
Here are a few suggestions for other ‘shavable’ ingredients so you can put together your own customized salad ~ small or baby veggies and fruit work best, so spring is the perfect time to try your hand at this. Also think about an accent of green such as sprouts, a few bits of baby arugula, or fresh herbs. Add some shavings of cheese and a sprinkle of toasted nuts and you’ve got a gourmet dish ~
- baby beets
- fennel
- red onion
- carrots (including rainbow carrots)
- cucumber
- baby turnip
- pear
- celery
- zucchini
- kohlrabi
- mushrooms
- asparagus (shave it lengthwise)
Try my SHAVED WINTER VEGETABLE SALAD too!
notes ~
- Yes, you know what I’m going to say, you absolutely need a mandoline for this dish. The apples and radishes need to be sliced paper thin, so that they are flexible and translucent.
- Don’t pile this into a bowl, layer it out onto a nice white plate or platter so you can see the shapes and colors.
Shaved Apple and Radish Salad
Equipment
- a mandoline slicer
Ingredients
- 1 medium or 2 small watermelon radishes
- several regular small radishes
- 1 small apple I used a Gala
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts rough chopped
- fresh mint leaves
- Shavings of Wisconsin Cheddar
O Honey Apple Vinaigrette
- 1 Tbsp O Honey Apple Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp O Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- pinch of salt and fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Set your mandoline sliver to the thinnest setting. I set mine just below 1/8 inch. Do a few test slices to see what works best for you. Slice the radishes and the apple. I immediately squeeze the lemon juice on the apple slices to prevent browning, be sure to coat all the surfaces.
- Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients and taste to adjust any of the components.
- Toss the radishes and apple slices with the dressing, and then arrange on a platter, along with the mint and nuts. Top with the cheese, and serve right away.
34 Comments
Cathy Trochelman
March 24, 2016 at 8:43 pmWhat a fantastic salad! Totally different than anything I’ve ever made….but I’ve never met a salad I didn’t love!
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron
March 24, 2016 at 9:00 amThis is one gorgeous salad! I need to keep an eye out for that type of radish! I love all the flavours and textures that you have in here!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
March 23, 2016 at 7:07 amYour creations always have the most beautiful colour combinations, Sue! I have a number of dinners to go to this weekend and I’ll be making this for one of them. Can’t wait to share it!
Nancy | Plus Ate Six
March 23, 2016 at 4:21 amWhat a glorious plate of food! So pretty and yes, screaming Spring. Bring on the sun ๐
Aggie
March 22, 2016 at 1:53 pmSuch a gorgeous salad, I’m totally craving it. So fresh!!
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
March 22, 2016 at 10:04 amSuch a beautiful salad!! I love the radishes in this!
grace
March 22, 2016 at 8:18 ami have a new appreciation for radishes–they can be SO beautiful and delicious and zippy! this salad is stunning and i love the dressing and the crunch from the nuts.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
March 22, 2016 at 5:39 amYou make the most beautiful salads I’ve ever seen. This looks like something to experience instead of gobble up – eat bite leading you to the next. A gorgeous plate!
Alida
March 22, 2016 at 2:27 amWhat a delicious salad for spring. Absolutely gorgeous!!
Bita
March 21, 2016 at 8:18 pmThis salad is so pretty! You have such an artistic eye. I love the way you put plates together. I would have never dreamed up this shaved combo but it looks so good. I bet pear would be nice with the hazelnuts and radishes as well. Thank you for yet another gem Sue!
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 8:58 pmI agree, this would be a great fall inspired salad too, and pears would be perfect.
Sara
March 21, 2016 at 8:03 pmThis salad is almost too pretty to eat, I LOVE watermelon radishes! This would be perfect for a dinner party.
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 8:16 pmI love the moment every spring when I find them…
2 sisters recipes
March 21, 2016 at 7:55 pmWhat a delicious idea! Never thought of shaving fruit and veggies into a salad, but it works! I have take out our mandolin and use it more often. Beautiful salad Sue!
Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef
March 21, 2016 at 7:48 pmWhat a great combination , anything with hazelnuts gets my attention and this salad looks fantastic.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
March 21, 2016 at 3:32 pmSuch a pretty and light salad, perfect for an alfresco spring dinner!
cheri
March 21, 2016 at 3:08 pmHi Sue, there were some gorgeous watermelon radishes at the farmers market this week-end but I glossed over them thinking that I just did not know what to do with them with except maybe use as a garnish. Beautiful idea, love shaved salads, yours are always amazing!
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 3:24 pmHope they’re still there next week for you Cheri ๐
Cathy
March 21, 2016 at 3:03 pmThis looks fantastic. I am addicted to your detox salad and have addicted my daughter as well. I won’t find watermelon radishes here on my rock, but I found the place to order seeds for those and rainbow carrots, etc. I need to do that soon so we can enjoy some of these great fruits and veggies here.
Susan
March 21, 2016 at 1:54 pmThose watermelon radishes are beautiful! I don’t think I’ve seen them offered here yet but the salad is wonderful idea and the combination sounds delicious.
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 2:32 pmI was saying to another commenter that radishes are becoming super hip lately, I bet you’ll see different varieties available to you soon. There’s a cool black radish that I’m dying to find.
sippitysup
March 21, 2016 at 11:34 amTis the season for colorful salads and this shave technique makes them all the more special. GREG
Kylee @KyleeCooks.com
March 21, 2016 at 11:16 amWOW – that is so so pretty!!!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
March 21, 2016 at 10:58 amWell, how pretty is that salad?! It is calling my name Sue and screaming spring!
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 10:59 amIt’s those watermelon radishes ๐
Chris Scheuer
March 21, 2016 at 10:45 amSo lovely, this would be so fun for a girls event. Love those radishes, they seem to scream spring!
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 11:00 amYes, and how about a girl baby shower?
Kit
March 21, 2016 at 9:51 amI love how colorful this is! So pretty and perfect for Spring!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
March 21, 2016 at 9:47 amAbsolutely stunning and love the flavours! Pinned ๐
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
March 21, 2016 at 9:32 amGorgeous and perfect for the season! Love the hazelnuts and cheddar in this salad. Would be perfect for a celebration brunch (no table dressing required)!
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 9:45 amIt’s funny you should mention the nuts, they add so much to the salad, I think it’s because when you toast them the flavor is really intense…
Ali @ Homeandplate
March 21, 2016 at 9:30 amWhat a pretty salad. I never would’ve thought of radishes. Love the addition of hazelnuts for the extra crunch.
Sue
March 21, 2016 at 9:46 amThanks Ali — I’ve been seeing radishes all over the place in recipes lately, braised, roasted, shaved, etc. They’re the new ‘it’ veggie, I think.
Tania @ COOKTORIA
March 21, 2016 at 9:18 amWhat a beautiful spring inspired salad! Sounds like a tasty combination! Thanks for sharing!