Crabby in Krabi – The Rocky Part of our Thailand trip
Krabi by The Sea .. Leaving Chiang Mai in the beautiful mountains it was time to spend the last two weeks of our Thailand trip by the sea. For months Alberto and I watched our favorite YouTuber Paddy Doyle document his entire journey through every providence in Thailand and we couldn’t wait to see the breathtaking seaside for ourselves. If you’ve been reading about my trips you know what I mean when I say there’s a “dip in the trip “.. This is usually the part where I’m not feeling it or enjoying myself . August is the monsoon season in Thailand so expect a lot of rain . We arrived to Krabi airport late around nine-thirty P.M , and were bombarded with driver’s who insisted on taking us to our hotel as there were no other options .. It was a bit unnerving , being crammed into a van with ten other people , completely dark , pouring rain with a two hour ride to the other side of the island since our hotel was the furthest away but here we go! Low Tides and Limestone cliffs We finally arrived to our Hotel http://krabihomeresort.com and it was going to be sweet relief to climb into bed after a day of traveling. A staff member (BLESS HIM) waited for us to arrive (at midnight no less) had an umbrella , change (for our shuttle driver ) and big smile on his face as he carried our luggage up the hill to our bungalow. Morning brought us overcast skies but warm smiles from the wonderful staff at our resort and a good breakfast . We’d have to wait until tomorrow to get a longtail boat since the forecast was rain and rough seas. We decided to explore our beach area Tubkaak , and spend the day relaxing and eating some good home cooked Thai food.. The tide was low so I was able to Vlog and walk quite a bit. The sunset was stunning.. Hong Island (Koh Hong) Our hostess at our resort booked a longtail boat so we set of to Hong Island . It takes about 20 minutes and is an easy quick day trip . Located in the Thanbok Kharanee National Park the beach is divided into two sections. The landing spot for the longtail boats is where you pay 400 thai baht to enter the national park . We climbed the 420 steps to the Hong Island Viewpoint which was quite a workout but you’re rewarded with the most breathtaking view of this magical island . The white sand beach is super soft ,clear, and warm. We took some beautiful photos then got back on the longtail boat so we could swim in the Hong lagoon .You have to pass through a narrow rock opening to enter the lagoon but it’s another world . The towering limestone cliffs , and turquoise water are breathtaking … Have your hotel pack a lunch or grab food and snacks if you plan to spend the day on the island or boat. I don’t recall if there’s a shop to get food or snacks once you get to the island.. A watertight beach bag is a must to protect your clothes, phone, and anything you bring with you onto the beach.I recommend checking with your local host also for the weather since it can change rapidly. We were having the sweetest sea time here , so why did I have to suggest we see something else… Rocky times in Railay So here’s where our trip gets rocky.. Railay Beach was a quick trip from Ao Nang the main hub and starting point of Krabi . After 3 days I thought let’s go see another part of the Island! It’s not that I get bored (well sometimes) . It’s that I want to see as much as I can when I’m in a new destination. So we drove the two hours to the Ao Nang pier , then a 10 minute longtail boat ride and finally we were towed into the Railay Beach resort and spa by a tractor . My first impression of Railay beach west wasn’t a good one. The scenery and landscape is pretty but the beach itself was dirty. Or should I say .. messy ? Walking the beach path towards our resort I couldn’t help but feel like we stepped into some some kind of trap. Tourist trap maybe ? Weed shops, fast food and a few tiny cafes lined the concrete path along the trash filled beach…. Eager to escape the loud techno music and the sound of crocs shuffling against sandy concrete we checked into our room and planned out our next three days… What the heck were we going to do for three days here ? Our resort was big and although outdated in terms of aesthetics three big crystal clear pools called out to me so I could cool off in the scorching humid heat and watch the moneys squabble over snacks they’d steal off of tourists breakfasts plates LOL We found one cafe that served good Pad Thai and wasn’t blaring music 24-7 so that’s where we enjoyed our meals . On our way back from the cafe that first night my husband decides to stop by and inquire about rock climbing tours and signs us both up ! Why not! Those limestone cliffs look easy to climb AND what else is there to do around here! No I’ve never rock climbed in my life but in my Kevin Hart voice “you’re gonna learn today! You’re gonna learn what rock climbing is today ! And here’s how it went .. Phra Nang Beach Shadowrock climbing met us bright and early at Phra Nang Beach along with hundreds of other tourists also geared up and ready to scale the gorgeous cliffs. I went first and let me tell you what you might already know ; ROCK CLIMBING IS HARD . Mad respect because
X3 Expo in Los Angeles
My first X3 Expo ! Hey guys it’s pouring rain at home here in Italy so I’m catching you all up on my travels ! Christmas 2023 and the New year brought me back to Los Angeles . I stayed an extra three weeks to attend my very first X3 Expo presented by XBIZ . XBIZ is one of the two main B2B and award shows in the Adult industry . I had the privilege of hosting the XBIZ Awards with comedienne Orlando Jones in 2013. X3 Expo Details The X3 Expo http://X3.show takes place in Hollywood , California mid January at the Hollywood Palladium and features Pornstars (past and present ), webcam models , and creators /influencers from the adult industry. The set up was definitely more “chaotic” compared to the booths and tables that are provided at the AVN show . The Palladium is a nightclub so our setups were bar tables and barstools and we were packed pretty tight together but as pornstars we’re kinda used to that LOL Honestly it was pretty funny for me because I knew literally no one! I have no idea who I signed next to those two days but across from me were my friends Fleshlight http://www.fleshlight.eu/products/tera-patrick . X3 Expo Friends !! Well it turns out I did find my friends after all !! One of my favorite ladies in the industry Lacie Lennon http://linktr.ee/misslacylennon always comes to see me for a hug and I love talking to her. She’s super smart. I love how she’s handled herself and her career . Tommy Gunn was one of my favorite performers to work with . Such a kind and humble guy. My good friend Gege who’s always traveled with me and did my very first expo in Los Angeles wanted to say hello to Ember Snow who’s always stunning and sweet . I don’t do awards shows anymore but after some time it was great to stay in LA and meet up again with my fans . I don’t think I had made an LA appearance in almost 10 years! Unless you catch me at a CVS or Thai town … It was fun and thank you to my wonderful LA friends and fans who made it out !! XO Tera
ItsMeSpkn2U – Ep. 132 With Tera Patrick
Speaking with Jeffery Wilson Hi everyone! It’s been a minute since I’ve made a podcast appearance and I’m back with THREE new ones ! First up I reconnect with my friend Jeffery Wilson on ItsMeSpkn2U. We do a deep dive into my accident , our favorite theories surrounding covid and lockdown then finish with our favorite places to travel . We also touch on the importance of keeping a good network of family and friends close especially in our wacky but fun world that is entertainment. Jeffery is one of my favorite people to talk to and he’s such a wonderful storyteller on his show. Please consider joining and supporting him below !! Thank you and enjoy our episode XO Tera The Most Lovely Tera Patrick returns to catch us up on what she’s been up to. And it’s been A LOT! Enjoy! SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.chemicalfreebody.com PROMO CODE- ItsMe for discounts! www.preparewithitsme.com That Podcast Network · ItsMeSpkn2U Ep. 132 Tera Patrick
Escape to LA
Escape to LA for Christmas Christmas in Los angeles was epic this year! Does anybody even say epic anymore LOL 2019 was the last time my family and I were able to return to LA because of the lockdown. We flew from Italy and arrived on Christmas Day just in time to celebrate the holiday with my best friend Ann . She got us an INCREDIBLE Christmas dinner from Erwon http://www.erewhonmarket.com I had to include the link so you could see how bougie this supermarket is. It’s been voted the most expensive market in the USA (DUH) and I’m astounded that I still set foot in there ! You’ve been warned so if you’re in LA and want to get gouged BUT eat some amazing food (their gourmet deli is beyond) then check it out. What’s a trip to LA without being gouged !! Speaking of …. Eats and Treats We discovered a few NEW amazing places to eat so here’s what’s up!! We were staying in Echo Park so every morning we’d take a short walk to Laveta Coffee Shop @lavetacoffee on Instagram and their Horchata Latte was my go to every morning . They have a delicious breakfast/lunch menu ranging from Kimchi fried rice with fried chicken to breakfast burgers. We had coffee here everyday for two weeks and it was so good! I also like Trejo’s Donuts. They’re a bit kitschy and awfully sweet but splurge once in awhile! Tsubaki http://tsubakila.com was a cozy Japanese dinner spot we stumbled upon while on our night walk. The portions are a bit small but they did have great flavor and the service was friendly and good. They have another restaurant next door called OTOTO http://ototo.la and it’s also a Sake bar. It had a long line the entire time we were there on a Tuesday night but it moved fast and from what we could see the plates looked delicious ! Another place worth mentioning is Son of a gun http://sonofagunrestaurant.com We took my best friend Ann here for lunch then returned the following night for dinner . It was THAT good. We were impressed with their version of tuna tartare. Highly recommend… The Dresden which is an LA institution was ok . It’s more of a spot to go have a cocktail and stroll the area around Vermont Ave. My husband and I being the Cinephile’s that we are decided to go after watching Swingers the week before. Nostalgia .. We ended the night at a fun bar called Tramp Stamp Granny’s http://trampstampgrannys.com This place is a cool piano bar located in the Cahuenga Corner. There’s a lot of bars , and it’s only 1 block away from Hollywood blvd. If you want a night out in Hollywood you’ll find something your speed around there! Have the Mattress Actress Cocktail! We love In and Out burger but this trip decided to see how two other burger spots compared. The first was Burger She Wrote @burgershewrote_ on Instagram and then Hiho http://hiho.la You guys, Hiho was a hell yes ! Definitely worth it and get it spicy . They put the Jalapenos in the meat so you get this spicy juicy yumminess in every bite. yes , yes, yes. That’s all .. Of course no trip to LA is complete without tacos . DTLA across from Santee Alley and a few blocks from the flower mart you’ll find Sonoratown http://www.sonoratown.com The Chivichanga was heaven and I did a Vegan version of The Lorenza . Their horchata is made with coconut milk which is really light and has that subtle coconut sweetness. This area is great for shopping and you can get everything from make-up to electronics. Worth mentioning is Trejo’s Tacos. We like the Grove location on Beverly blvd. and 3 rd in the farmers market . Great shopping (hello Nordstrom!) and it’s an outside mall beautifully decorated year round. Walking in LA Only a Nobody walks in LA!! It’s kinda true though , I mean living in Europe people are (mostly) accustomed to walking a few km or miles everyday . Not in LA where you can LYFT or Valet every few blocks but there are some great walkable neighborhoods like ; Griffith Park Ok it’s not a Neighborhood per se but it is a nice park and a bit of an escape from the eating and shopping. The observatory http://griffithobservatory.org at the top is free to explore and there’s a great hike to The Hollywood sign if you’re feeling extra motivated. Echo Park Lake This is such a great area to stay in and explore. There’s a great paved path around the lake great for walking or running . You can take a swan boat ride (they light up at night so cute!!) or walk amongst the geese and swans .It’s really lush and beautiful with lots of different plants and flowers. Being in close proximity to Downtown LA makes it close to another one of my favorite walkable neighborhoods; Little Tokyo This has long been my favorite part of LA. The best Ramen https://group.bishamon-ten.com/daikokuya/littletokyo/ best sushi http://ukarestaurant.com and of course all the cute Hello Kitty and other sweet Japanese characters I love so much I buy here. You’ll find some great Japanese shops that sell useful Japanese household items and rare unique Japanese clothing and make-up brands. Venice Beach . In all of it’s wacky glory the people watching alone is worth the trip . You don’t go for the shopping that would be Santa Monica at 3rd street promenade it’s east of the Santa Monica Pier which is beautiful at sunset. Stuff to see and do My husband’s a huge basketball fan so we saw The LA Lakers for the second time in January for their match against the Grizzlies. Even if you’re not a fan of Basketball the games are fun to watch. Basketball just has this electric energy to it that makes it so fun to watch and be a part of. It had been many years
Fresh Cherry Compote
What is Fresh Cherry Compote? Compote is simply fruit slowly simmered in water , sugar and spices. A lot of recipes for compote use either lemon juice or orange juice to add a sour acidic finish . On cold rainy days like the one I’m having today it’s such a comforting treat . During the winter I find myself like most of us craving warm cozy flavors . I happen to have an abundant amount of cherries right now so I’m using cherries. Other great options like apples , pears, raspberries , blueberries, and blackberries all make fantastic compote. From start to finish you can have a sweet bowl of fruit compote in less than 30 minutes so lets make some! Ingredients for Cherry Compote Fruit of your choice . I’m using cherries . Sugar . I’m using brown sugar . 1/4 cup for 1lb of chopped cherries spices. I’m going to simmer my cherries with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon but a cinnamon stick works nicely too. You can also try cloves whole or ground just make sure to remove the whole cloves before serving or preserving . Two teaspoons of water for simmering . Add more if your pot seems dry but a teaspoon at a time . The cherries or fruit will release their own liquid. Lemon or orange juice squeezed 2 tablespoons at the end . How to make cherry compote Start by chopping up your cherries . I just chopped around the pit . Put them in your pot , add two teaspoons of water then turn your stove on low flame and set a timer for 15 minutes. Low and slow is the key here . You want your fruit to release it’s own juices and sweetness . You’re not trying to boil your fruit here just a gentle simmer. I needed 20 minutes for my cherries to soften but keep an eye on your fruit. You don’t need to stir often just let them do their thing! Try a spoonful at the 15 minute mark and if it’s to your liking the texture turn off the heat and let your compote cool down a bit. After 5 minutes I squeeze in a quarter of cut lemon then wait 10 more minutes to put them into a container and into the fridge . Uses for cherry compote I just love eating a bowl of fresh fruit compote. It’s pure comfort for me with a good book ! It makes an incredible topping for pancakes , waffles , crepes , and toast. It pairs wonderfully with the saltiness of ricotta cheese and the creamy sourness of greek yogurt. I’ve even mixed it with chia seed pudding . If you make some please let me know and share some photos! I love the versatility of fruit compote and hope try some . XO Tera
My week in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai Thailand Week Two My second week in Thailand we traveled north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. A quick one hour flight from Don Muang airport in Bangkok took us to the beautiful mountain ranges of the Thai highlands. Chiang Rai was also on our itinerary and this is where my grandmother is from. Chang Mai is such a refreshing , green , lush contrast to Bangkok. Northern Thailand is simply breathtaking. I could live out the rest of my life here in these mountains , growing my own food and just enjoying the serenity We had so much fun over the next eight days even though it started off wet with heaps of rain pouring down on us from the moment we landed! Things to do in Chiang Mai We stayed at Nanta Glam CM .What a beautiful home with the sweetest family who make you feel so welcome. They have their own bakery and brew their own Kombucha which is some of the best I’ve had in my life. My husband HATES Kombucha and he drank it everyday so that’s saying a lot ! We were pretty hungry since we landed around dinner time but finding a restaurant that wasn’t closed , flooded or fully booked was becoming a task. Like Bangkok, Chiang Mai uses the Grab app . It’s their version of Lyft and I highly recommend it for getting around if you don’t want to walk or take a tuk tuk. http://www.grab.com If you plan on visiting Thailand Grab will be your best friend in Bangkok and Chiang Mai … We decided to take a tuk tuk and found MAADAE Fish kitchen. Cold wet nights like this need Tom Kha Gai or Tom Yum soup. We had a heaping bowl or Tom Yum seafood soup with a Crab omelette that was perfect. We spent the next few days exploring Chiang Mai by bicycle (another perk from Nanta Glam CM) We had two memorable meals at http://thehousebygingercm.com . The Pomelo Shrimp salad , fried whole fish with cashews and red curry in a whole coconut was to die for. Their version of a Pisco sour is the beautiful purple cocktail I’m pictured with …. There’s some incredible french bakeries Chiang Mai is known for. L’Opera had fantastic pastries and eggs for breakfast ,also a good baguette sandwich if you prefer take away. Lady Bake was a delicious breakfast spot with a full breakfast , amazing coffee and fruit . Khom Chocolate house http://linktr.ee/khomchocolatierhouse is next door and we stopped in to have some after our Day with Elephants . We had the Double dark chocolate drink and dark chocolate ganache cake.. We really wanted to visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand . Seeing these beautiful animals up close in Africa is something I’ll never forget. Asian elephants are quite smaller in size , have a double domed head, and the females don’t grow tusks! For years I always wondered why asian elephants didn’t have them but it turns out only male asian elephants grow tusks .. Over the years I’ve heard stories and seen documentaries about elephant abuse through tourism . Elephant shows, rides, and bathing are still common practice and it can be a challenge to find an ethical sanctuary . http://elephantnaturepark.org was an amazing experience . We chose the half day excursion and it was the perfect amount of time to see all of the animals with a vegan lunch included. It’s a one hour drive into the mountains and the scenery is so beautiful. There are many other animals like water buffalo and dogs that have been rescued and live out their days on the reserve which is massive , and well maintained. Chiang Rai It’s about three hours to drive up to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai . We stayed at Le Meridien resort in Chiang Rai. It was cozy with great food which was what I needed over that weekend. Their Tom Yum soup mmmmm … It’s quite a bit cooler here in the mountains and we had a lot of rain . August is the monsoon season so make sure you wear a good jacket , boots for hiking (there was mud) and layer up against the wind! I still have no idea WHY I wanted to see the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun as it’s called. It is just a tacky tourist trap that reeks of evil and something nasty I can’t put my senses on …. We did see another beautiful white temple with beautiful dancing dragons . I regret I can’t recall the name BUT I do remember the Hello Kitty tram that took passengers up and down the Wat and you all know I adore Hello Kitty … Phu Chi Fah Summit If you want to see the most beautiful part of Chiang Rai then head north to Phu Chi Fah summit. The sunset view is just incredible and we spent hours here just marveling at the beauty . As I stared out into the mountains and rice paddies I was envisioning my grandmother with my mother strapped on here as she tended the paddies… I watched the women with their children for hours and it was just mesmerizing … On our way back to Chiang Mai we passed this buddha that I remembered seeing when we left to Chiang Rai. I wanted to see it up close it was just pulling me in ! I took a picture and its name is WAT PHRATHATSANPAHIANG . I had to write it right I don’t want any bad juju! This place was just calling out to me as we drove by . It was a Sunday and it was empty . We could only hear the wind chimes above the Buddha but it was so serene and wonderful to be in it’s presence . Fun spots in Chiang Mai We stayed our last night in Chiang Mai at http://elbarriolanna.com . WeLOVED this hotel and
The Granny Panty Podcast
The Granny Panty Podcast Life after P0rn is not what you think. You’d be surprised to hear all about what Tera Patrick had to say about the industry before, during, and now after it’s all been said and done. Sit down and tune into the latest #TheGrannyPantyPodcast with Tera Patrick and @rubylynne From adult entertainment star to now a nutritional chemist— tap in to hear exactly how she ended up where she is now— you won’t want to miss this episode! 🎙️ Meeting Ruby Lynne One of my favorite parts about the Adult industry expos is meeting new industry colleagues and making new friends. I met Ruby for the first time in Chicago at the CHI EXXXOTICA expo back in April . Lisa Ann and I were taking turns that weekend hosting the Expo after parties and Ruby joined us both nights. I immediately liked her energy . She was really sweet , laughing just fun to be around . I overheard her say to Lisa as they were in conversation “that would be great to talk about on the podcast! ” LOL It’s true though… So When Ruby asked me to be a guest I was happy! My accident happened the day before she released our episode so I wasn’t able to the proper promotion for us BUT it’s not like the episodes disapear and lucky for you all you can have a listen here . Thank you for taking the time and have a beautiful Tuesday! As always I LOVE and VALUE your feedback so please leave a like and comment if you can . It means a lot to me XO Tera
Chatting with Candice
Chatting with Candice If there’s one thing my mouth does well it’s chat ! This may come as a surprise to you but give me some good company and off I’ll go! I love doing podcasts and when Candice slid into my DM’s back in 2021 asking me to come on as her guest was elated. I’ve been a fan of hers for quite some time and although we didn’t get the opportunity to work together I was excited to get to know her a bit better through her show. For two hours we cover so many topics including our time in the industry and experiences we had both good and bad. The importance of having support and gratitude and what the future holds for the both of us. Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did XO Tera Since her on-screen debut in 1999, Tera Patrick transitioned from an adult content star into a renowned businesswoman and worldwide brand. She is the owner of the Teravision INC production company and runs the famous website www.terapatrick.com. Tera Patrick is the only woman ever to be featured on both covers of the Playboy Magazine and Penthouse magazine simultaneously and was crowned runners-up Penthouse pet of the year in February 2002. In this intriguing episode, I talk to Tera about her on-screen career, how she built her brand, and the importance of having a lawyer present during contract negotiations. WEBSITE: https://www.chattingwithcandice.com
My Thanksgiving 2023
Thanksgiving As Thanksgiving approaches for my American family and friends I wanted to catch up with you all and give you some life updates ! I’ve been recovering from my accident which happened back in October . It’s been a process to recovery but I’m doing remarkably well and full of gratitude for my family , friends and fans who’ve been so incredibly gracious to me . Living in Italy for almost ten years now I’ve forgotten most of the American Holidays . Thanksgiving is obviously not celebrated here and when I lived in the US I only celebrated with my sister or friends when I’d come home around that time. After many years on the road feature dancing and attending trade shows , holidays became an afterthought . That’s not a bad thing and I have so many wonderful memories of these times I just celebrated a bit different … My Accident I’ve gone forty seven years on this planet without ever breaking a bone or being involved in an accident but that all came to a screeching halt this October . It was late at night and I decided to take an electric bike to get home faster as I was still a distance away and I wanted to get there quicker! I’ve ridden one of these bikes many times before and they’re convenient so I got one and was on my way! I wasn’t riding too fast but realized I was riding on the tram tracks so I wanted to get off and cross over to the sidewalk / bike lane. These bikes are different because they’re a little bit heavier and can accelerate kinda fast . As soon as I steered left I felt the bike accelerate , spin out and bam I landed on my left side smashing my face. I didn’t feel any pain I was just really in shock . A woman started screaming and it took me a second to realize she was across the street and it wasn’t me LOL I felt arms reach under me and carry me off the tracks onto the sidewalk . He was really calm , helped me compress my face , called the ambulance and kept talking to me . My husband and daughter spent the next twenty- four hours with me in the ER and on a Saturday night man this is not the place to be… Surgery and recovery A team of Doctors did head , brain and neck scans to determine the extent of my injuries. There was an invasive eye exam to check for cuts and tears since it was determined I had fractured my Orbital floor. The left side of my face took the impact not my head so I was moved to The Oral , Maxillofacial center to being surgery and treatment . Swelling from the multiple fractures within my orbitol floor and cheek bones had surgery delayed until it was safe to operate. I don’t remember pain honestly. I passed the days before the surgery journaling , meditating , and moving around when I could. The night and morning before surgery I meditated and prayed . It’s humbling to go through something like this and you just have to pull yourself through . I thought of my husband and daughter . My last words to her she told me were ” I’m going out ” then an hour later she gets a call from two strangers who tell her ” your mom told us to call you , we found her and she’s had an accident can you come ? Coming out of surgery is not fun and anesthesia is wild . That was the most painful part for me but after a few hours I was fine . I had no idea what my face was going to look like . I have three titanium plates under my eye socket , and cheek with mesh for support . I could go into more detail but after one month I’ve mostly healed with minimal scaring and bruising and feel fantastic. Aftermath I also feel immense gratitude. For the people who helped me , the doctors , my family , friends and my health. Through this experience I’m reminded of how life can change in an instant. There is some damage to my nerves that is impinging small facial movements but this shall pass. As I heal day by day I know that I will recover and the scars will fade. I have the resources and support I need to get through this and realize how incredibly fortunate I am. Our perception shapes our thoughts and actions. When something happens that feels overwhelming or crappy my mantra becomes “it’s happening FOR me not TO me. This allows me to grow from it and becomes beneficial in some way. There are days where no amount of positive euphemisms , yoga , or good vibes that can make you feel better . Some days just suck and you feel like you’re stuck . My husband was so good at bringing me back to my good place when I’d get down . Pouting , crying or self pity isn’t always intrinsic for your healing but it feels good sometimes. We all have different methods. On the harder days I just give in and allow myself some grace . I watch something that comforts me , make tea , and let it pass… That’s all you can do sometimes and it’s enough … Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and If you celebrate I hope it’s a memorable one for you . I may just whip up some traditional American favorites here in Italy and celebrate it over here … I’ll put it here if I do ! Please leave me a comment if you’re celebrating and food pictures please!!! XO Tera
Shaved Fennel Salad with Pomegranate
Before I moved to Italy I had fennel three or four times in my life. Fennel wasn’t something I’d stumble upon at my local Trader Joes or Ralph’s. In 2015 when I came to Italy for my feature dance tour I was served a shaved fennel salad as a starter. I couldn’t speak let alone read Italian yet, but there was a photo of “finocchio” or fennel on the menu and I though” Hey why not”! I’m glad I did and I’ve been hooked on fennel ever since. It’s indigenous to the Mediterranean and I think more common in European cuisine so that explains why it wasn’t on my plate back in Los Angeles but now it’s one of my favorite go to salads. I would like to share with you how to make a shaved fennel salad thats super easy and tasty! It’s still warm here in Northern Italy so when it turns cooler in the winter time I usually roast fennel and it’s natural anise flavor is amplified . It pairs wonderfully with citrus fruits like orange or grapefruit and a salty cheese like feta (my preference) then topped with pine nuts or pumpkin seeds for some crunch. I used pomegranate for a change and I really like it. The salad comes together fast but letting it marinate in the fridge for a few hours allows the acid in the dressing to soften the crunchy fennel and the flavors to blend together . Let me know if you make it and enjoy! XO Tera Ingredients for Fennel Salad Two Fennel bulbs One Pomegranate (or two oranges or grapefruit ) Feta cheese One lemon (fresh not bottled lemon juice) Dijon mustard – Honey Dijon mustard wors too! Olive oil Honey Salt and pepper Pumpkin seeds or pine nuts for topping Not pictured but an Avocado is a fantastic addition as well!! How to make Fresh Fennel Salad with dressing Prepare the honey mustard salad dressing first . This is what the fennel and fruits will marinate in for a few hours. I use this honey mustard dressing on most of my salads 2 tablespoons dijon mustard 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have lemon ) 1 tablespoon of honey (if using honey mustard then omit the honey ) 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper. 1.Whisk or blend all of your dressing ingredients in your salad bowl 2. Slice your fennel thinly using either a knife or a mandoline slicer. If you don’t know how to slice fennel let Martha Stewart show you like she showed me ! https://youtu.be/1XaV8OV3oI0?si=IXHc4AeuvIqeeNJq 3. Prepare your pomegranate or slice oranges and grapefruit without their skins into segments like this https://youtu.be/152sZmDNqnY?si=511geHJxDOEa0q2z 4. Toss the fennel and fruits and coat them in the dressing and let it marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours. I’ve prepared this in the morning and by dinner time it was still crunchy and tasty . 5. Take the fennel salad out of the fridge fifteen minutes prior to serving and crumble in feta cheese, sliced avocado (optional but elevates!) and top with toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds. I toast them in a warm pan with salt and the warm crunch combined with the crunchy fennel , salty feta, and sweet burst of citrus or pomegranate makes this easily one of my favorite salads !
