Simple Citrus Almond Salad

I confess.  This salad has been in a drafts folder since January, when the citrus was just coming into its peak.  I made it, photographed it, ate it… and my attention was promptly diverted…  Super Bowl?  Valentine’s Day?  Probably.  But that doesn’t mean this simple citrus almond salad doesn’t deserve a little love.

Actually, now is probably the perfect time to share it with you!  I mean, the citrus is still really good and bathing suit season is just a little over a month away…  Just sayin’.  It might do us good to mix in a salad, right?  And look — you can learn a new skill — segmenting an orange!  It’s not hard, just takes a little practice.

The key is a sharp paring knife.  Just cut the peel and pith from the orange by following the natural curve of the fruit.  Then slide your knife between each of the segments and lift out the perfect wedge.  

Quick side story:  We had company visiting from the North and I segmented a bag of oranges to serve them for breakfast during their stay.  One of our guests looked at the fruit and said, “Wow – you’re oranges are different than the ones we get – they’re so much easier to eat.”  She had never seen an orange without the membrane on it.  LOL!  She loved it so much that she bought several bags to take back North with her and before she left, she made me give a tutorial on how to segment the fruit.  

Aside from the tangy, sweet oranges, this simple citrus and almond salad also has crunchy slices of cucumber, a bit of red onion for heat, crunchy toasted almonds, crumbled queso fresco (you can substitute feta, too), fresh basil and a homemade orange vinaigrette.  It would be excellent with some sliced avocado and/or grilled shrimp for a more substantial meal.  Simple, but oh, so tasty!

Simple Citrus Almond Salad

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: almonds, lettuce, orange

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 436 kcal

Fresh citrus makes this easy salad bright and flavorful -- especially during those drab winter months.  Make it a meal by adding grilled chicken or shrimp -- even tofu!

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Ingredients

for the dressing

• 1 orange zested
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon white wine or red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

for the salad

• 2 oranges use the one you zested for the dressing
• 1/3 cup red onion thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup queso fresco crumbled
• 1 head Boston bibb lettuce leaves roughly torn
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
• 3-4 basil leaves very thin strips, cut in chiffonade
• 1/2 hothouse cucumber sliced

Instructions

1. In a small bowl combine the orange zest, garlic, dijon, olive oil, orange juice, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Whisk until emulsified and set aside. (This makes more dressing than you'll need for this salad. Save any extra for other salads.)
2. Segment the orange. Using a sharp knife cut away the peel and pith of the orange exposing the juicy segments. Cut in between the membrane of each of the orange segments and transfer the segments to a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Add the lettuce to a large salad bowl. Top with onion, queso fresco, cucumber and orange segments. Add 4-5 tablespoons of dressing and toss the salad. If it needs more dressing, add more a little at a time. Sprinkle the salad with the toasted almonds and fresh basil. Serve.

Nutrition Facts

Simple Citrus Almond Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 436 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 36g 55%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 15mg 5%

Sodium 509mg 21%

Potassium 457mg 13%

Total Carbohydrates 23g 8%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 16g

Protein 7g 14%

Vitamin A 36.8%

Vitamin C 77.6%

Calcium 21.3%

Iron 6.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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