Fennel and Arugula Salad with Pecorino Toscano

• Recipe by Laurent Tourondel

Ingredients

1. Six 1/2-inch-thick baguette slices
2. 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4. 2 fennel bulbs, trimmed and very thinly sliced
5. 1 large bunch of arugula, thick stems discarded
6. 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
7. 1/4 pound Pecorino Toscano cheese, shredded (1 cup)
8. Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Brush the baguette slices with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, transfer to a baking sheet and toast for 15 minutes, until golden. Let cool, then break the bread into 3/4-inch pieces.
2. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the lemon juice. Add the fennel, arugula, onion, Pecorino cheese and croutons, season with salt and pepper, toss well and serve.

Notes

To cut the fennel into thin, even slices, use a mandoline. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, trim off any tough outer layers, then slice the fennel on the mandoline. Inexpensive plastic Japanese and German mandolines work well. We also like the Good Grips Mandoline from Oxo (oxo.com).

Other hard, aged Italian cheeses can be substituted for the Pecorino Toscano. Try the slightly milder, gritty Parmigiano-Reggiano or the sweeter Asiago.