Description
A refreshing Mandarin Orange Salad featuring mixed greens, sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy sliced almonds, tangy red onion, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a light and zesty honey Dijon dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Begin by gathering all the ingredients for the Mandarin Orange Salad to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Prepare Greens: Wash the mixed greens thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen cloth to remove excess moisture.
- Assemble Base: Place the mixed greens evenly in a large salad bowl to serve as the fresh base of the salad.
- Drain Oranges: Drain the mandarin oranges carefully, discarding any excess juice to prevent sogginess in the salad.
- Add Oranges: Add the drained mandarin oranges to the bowl, distributing them evenly over the greens for balanced flavor.
- Add Almonds: Sprinkle the measured sliced almonds evenly over the salad to introduce a crunchy texture.
- Slice Onions: Thinly slice the red onion uniformly to ensure even distribution and a mild onion flavor.
- Add Onions: Add the red onion slices to the salad bowl, mixing gently with the other ingredients.
- Add Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the salad ingredients to add a creamy, tangy element.
- Prepare Dressing Base: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, and honey, forming the base of a sweet and tangy dressing.
- Add Mustard: Add Dijon mustard to the dressing base to enhance flavor and aid emulsification.
- Whisk Dressing: Whisk the dressing ingredients together until smooth and well combined for a balanced flavor.
- Season Dressing: Season the dressing with salt and black pepper and whisk again to evenly incorporate the seasoning.
- Dress Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients evenly for thorough coverage.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss the salad to ensure all ingredients are coated with dressing without bruising the greens.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving to enjoy a slightly chilled salad.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the sliced almonds lightly before adding.
- You can substitute feta cheese with goat cheese for a different tangy flavor.
- If mandarin oranges are not available, canned or fresh segmented oranges can be used.
- Adjust the amount of honey based on your preference for sweetness in the dressing.
- Serve this salad as a refreshing side or light main dish, especially during warm weather.
