Caramelized Fennel and Bacon Salad for Two

Ingredients:

Leaf lettuce

• 1 fennel bulb, halved and cut into wedges
• 5 slices pancetta
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp. l. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. l. olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 150 g fresh salad greens
• Vinaigrette salad dressing, recipe follows

Vinaigrette salad dressing

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the fennel, pancetta, garlic, brown sugar, and olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss the fennel to combine. Arrange the ingredients in a single layer on a baking sheet.
   
   Bake until the pancetta is crispy and the fennel is caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
3. Pour the dressing into a salad bowl and add the lettuce leaves, pancetta, and fennel. Toss the salad to combine.
4. Serve immediately as an appetizer for a romantic evening.
   
   Vinaigrette salad dressingWhisk together the wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Taste and season with pepper, if needed.
   Exit: less than 1/2 cup