Ghent's Secret Garden Salad
A vibrant salad featuring foraged greens and hidden citrus dressing, celebrating Ghent's hidden culinary gems. This belgian-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs Mixed spring greens, Radishes, Shaved fennel into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 150g Mixed spring greens
- 100g Radishes
- 80g Shaved fennel
- 1 Orange
- 4 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp White wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Thinly slice radishes into rounds and shave fennel into delicate ribbons using a mandoline. Toss with mixed greens in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Zest and juice the orange, reserving zest. Whisk juice, olive oil, vinegar, Dijon, honey, and orange zest until emulsified.
- Step 3: Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently until all greens are evenly coated and glistening.
- Step 4: Arrange salad on plates, top with orange segments, and sprinkle with reserved orange zest for a hidden citrus burst.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ghent's Secret Garden Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Ghent's Secret Garden Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed spring greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ghent's Secret Garden Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ghent's Secret Garden Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ghent's Secret Garden Salad?
Belgian salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
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