There’s something almost magical about the combination of sweet and tangy flavors that a Mandarin Orange Salad brings to the table—it’s like a burst of sunshine on a plate. I remember the first time I made it, I was skeptical. Would the citrus vinaigrette overpower the delicate orange slices?
But then, as I took that first bite, it was like all my worries melted away. It was a symphony of flavors, bright and unexpected, much like the surprise comeback of vinyl records in our digital world.
Steps
- Start by preparing the salad ingredients: rinse and chop the salad greens, if needed. Peel and section the blood orange, and set aside the mandarin oranges after draining the juice.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the salad greens, blood orange sections, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, sliced red onion, and gorgonzola cheese.
- For the vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, reserved mandarin orange juice, and orange peel, if using. Season with a dash of salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the large bowl, and gently toss everything to ensure it’s evenly coated.
- Finish by topping the salad with additional crumbled gorgonzola cheese before serving. Enjoy the vibrant and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
- 6–8 oz. salad greens (such as a spring mix), rinsed and chopped if needed
- 1 blood orange, peeled and segmented
- 1 (11 oz.) can of mandarin oranges, juice reserved
- 1/4 cup almonds, toasted (or try smoked or toffee-coated)
- Half a red onion, sliced
- 4 oz. gorgonzola cheese (or substitute with feta, blue, or goat cheese)
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mandarin orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
- A pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper
FAQ
- Can I substitute the cheese in the salad?
- Yes, you can substitute gorgonzola cheese with feta, blue, or goat cheese according to your preference.
- Is there an alternative to mandarin oranges in the salad?
- If mandarins aren’t available, you can use fresh orange slices or canned tangerines.
- How do I make the vinaigrette dressing from scratch?
- To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mandarin orange juice, and a dash of salt and pepper. You can also add a teaspoon of orange peel for extra flavor.
- What type of almonds should I use in this salad?
- You can use toasted almonds for a classic taste, or experiment with smoked or toffee-coated almonds for added variety.
- Can I add other ingredients to this salad?
- Absolutely! Feel free to include other colorful ingredients that you enjoy to customize the salad to your liking.
Tips
- Toast the almonds before adding them to the salad for enhanced flavor. You might also enjoy using smoked or toffee-coated almonds for an extra layer of taste.
- When making the vinaigrette, gradually whisk the olive oil into the other ingredients to achieve a well-emulsified dressing.
- Feel free to customize the salad by incorporating other colorful ingredients you love, such as pomegranate seeds or sliced bell peppers.
- For a slightly different flavor profile, consider substituting the gorgonzola cheese with feta, blue, or goat cheese.
Equipment
- Large salad bowl
- Whisk
