Citrus Delight Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 4
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This Citrus Delight Salad is the perfect burst of freshness to brighten your day. It's a vibrant mix of sweet and tangy flavors that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Ideal for a light lunch or a zesty side dish, this salad is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients.

Ingredients for Citrus Delight Salad

Romaine lettuce forms the crisp, refreshing base of this salad, offering a satisfying crunch and a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients. Mandarin orange segments add a sweet and juicy element, creating a bright contrast to the savory components. Sliced almonds bring in a nutty crunch, adding texture and richness. Red onion slices introduce a mild sharpness that offsets the sweetness from the oranges. For the dressing, olive oil provides a smooth, rich base, while white wine vinegar adds acidity to balance the sweetness of the honey. Finally, Dijon mustard gives the dressing a bit of depth and spice, with salt and pepper enhancing the overall flavor.

Tips & Tricks

  • Toasting the almonds briefly in a dry pan enhances their flavor and adds extra crunch.
  • Chill your salad bowl and utensils beforehand to keep your salad crisp and fresh longer.
  • For a more robust flavor, let the onions soak in cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad — this reduces their sharpness.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a light, refreshing meal. Consider serving it alongside a quiche or a hearty sandwich for a satisfying lunch. It's also a great addition to a brunch spread, offering a fresh contrast to richer dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of lettuce?
Absolutely! While romaine is crisp and holds up well, you can substitute with mixed greens or butter lettuce for a softer texture.
What if I don’t have white wine vinegar?
You can substitute with apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, but be mindful of the flavor change.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
It's best to keep the ingredients and dressing separate until just before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.

Citrus Delight Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Begin by chopping the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they're easy to eat and distribute in the salad. Place the chopped lettuce into a large salad bowl. Next, add the mandarin orange segments. If you're using fresh mandarins, simply peel and separate them into segments, making sure to remove any seeds. Add them to the bowl along with sliced almonds for that satisfying crunch, and thinly sliced red onion to add a hint of sharpness.

In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: start with olive oil, then pour in the white wine vinegar. Add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a tangy punch. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Make sure you whisk everything until it's well combined and has a smooth consistency.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad, and give everything a gentle toss. You want the dressing to coat the ingredients evenly without bruising the lettuce. Once everything is nicely mixed, it's ready to be served. Enjoy the harmony of flavors with each bite!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • A delightful balance of sweet mandarin oranges and tangy dressing.
  • Quick and easy to prepare — perfect for busy schedules.
  • Loaded with texture from crisp lettuce and crunchy almonds.
  • Flexible to adapt with seasonal ingredients or personal favorites.

Ingredients

1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups mandarin orange segments
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, mandarin orange segments, sliced almonds, and red onion.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing flavors.

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