Jumbo Shrimp Salad

• Recipe by Michael Psilakis

Ingredients

1. 2 navel oranges
2. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3. 1 large garlic clove
4. 1 small shallot, chopped
5. 1 teaspoon chopped dill
6. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
7. 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
8. 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
9. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
10. 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
11. 12 shelled and deveined jumbo shrimp (1 1/2 pounds)
12. 2 bunches watercress (9 ounces), thick stems discarded
13. 1 medium fennel bulb—halved, cored and thinly sliced
14. 1/2 cup pitted Calamata olives

Directions

1. Finely grate 1 teaspoon of zest from the oranges and reserve. Using a sharp knife, peel the oranges, taking care to remove all of the bitter white pith. Working over a bowl, cut in between the membranes to release the orange sections into the bowl. Pour off the juice, reserving 2 tablespoons for the vinaigrette.
2. In a blender, combine the vinegar with the reserved orange zest and juice, the garlic, shallot, dill, mustard and ground fennel seeds. With the machine on, slowly pour in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, toast the walnuts over moderate heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and cook, turning once, until opaque throughout, about 4 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, toss the watercress with the fennel, olives, toasted walnuts and orange sections. Add 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette and toss well. Transfer the salad to plates, top with the shrimp and serve, passing the remaining vinaigrette at the table.