Winter Citrus Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that brightens up the chilly season's palette with its bold colors and flavors. It's a simple yet elegant salad, showcasing the best of winter citrus fruits, perfect for a healthy snack or a stunning appetizer.
Navel oranges are sweet and juicy, providing the base for our salad's sweetness. Ruby red grapefruit adds a slightly tart and tangy contrast, while the blood orange introduces a deeper, berry-like flavor and vivid color. Pomegranate seeds offer a lovely crunch and a pop of color. Fresh mint leaves elevate the salad with their refreshing aroma. The dressing, made from olive oil, honey, and lemon juice, ties everything together with a light, sweet, and tangy touch. A dash of sea salt and black pepper balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, making it a delightful accompaniment to a light main course. It can also stand alone as a refreshing appetizer or a palate cleanser between richer dishes.
Start by peeling your navel oranges, ruby red grapefruit, and blood orange. You want to remove all the white pith so the vibrant colors shine through. Once peeled, slice them into thin rounds, and if you encounter any seeds, just pop them out gently.
Grab a large serving platter and begin arranging the citrus slices. For an eye-catching presentation, alternate the colors as you lay them out. Think of it as creating an edible mosaic.
Next, sprinkle the pomegranate seeds across the top of your citrus arrangement. These little jewels add not just flavor but also an exciting texture.
Now, let's make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper. This will take just a minute or two until everything is well combined.
Drizzle the dressing evenly over your citrus slices. You want each piece to get a bit of that sweet and tangy goodness.
Finally, just before serving, scatter the fresh mint leaves over the top. They add a pop of green and a fresh aroma that complements the citrus perfectly.