Name: Spring Mix Salad with Citrus Dressing
Ingredients: Spring Mix Lettuce: (10 ounces) The foundation of our salad, spring mix offers a delightful blend of tender baby greens like romaine, red leaf, baby spinach, and oak leaf, providing a diverse range of textures and mild flavors.; Mandarin Oranges: (1 can, 11 ounces, drained) These segments add a juicy sweetness and vibrant citrus burst that perfectly complements the dressing and the greens. Fresh mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented, can also be used for an even fresher taste.; Grapefruit Segments: (1 medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented) Bringing a slightly tart and tangy counterpoint to the mandarin oranges, grapefruit adds depth and complexity to the citrus profile of the salad. Pink or red grapefruit will also add a beautiful color.; Avocado: (1 ripe, diced) Creamy and rich, avocado provides a wonderful textural contrast to the crisp greens and juicy citrus. It also adds healthy fats and a subtle buttery flavor.; Red Onion: (¼ medium, thinly sliced or red onion) A touch of red onion introduces a mild sharpness and a bit of bite that cuts through the sweetness of the citrus and adds another layer of flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.; Toasted Almonds: (½ cup, slivered or sliced) These provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that elevates the salad’s texture and taste. Toasting the almonds brings out their flavor even more. Pecans or walnuts could also be used as alternatives.; Feta Cheese: (Optional, ½ cup, crumbled) For those who enjoy a salty and tangy element, crumbled feta cheese adds a delightful creamy and salty counterpoint to the sweet and bright flavors. Goat cheese or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese could also be used. (Note: Omit for a vegan version).; Fresh Orange Juice: (¼ cup, from about 1 large orange) The base of our citrus dressing, fresh orange juice provides sweetness and a bright, sunny flavor that ties all the elements together. Freshly squeezed is always best for maximum flavor.; Fresh Lemon Juice: (2 tablespoons, from about ½ lemon) Lemon juice adds a necessary tartness and acidity to balance the sweetness of the orange juice and create a well-rounded citrus profile. Freshly squeezed is crucial for the best taste.; Olive Oil: (¼ cup, extra virgin) A good quality extra virgin olive oil provides richness and body to the dressing, while also contributing healthy fats and a subtle peppery note.; Dijon Mustard: (1 teaspoon) Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and emulsifying quality to the dressing, helping to bind the oil and citrus juices together.; Honey or Maple Syrup: (1 tablespoon) A touch of sweetness is needed to balance the acidity of the citrus juices and create a harmonious dressing. Honey or maple syrup both work wonderfully. For a vegan option, use maple syrup or agave nectar.; Salt: (½ teaspoon, or to taste) Salt enhances all the flavors in the dressing and brings them together. Sea salt or kosher salt are recommended.; Black Pepper: (¼ teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste) Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor to the dressing.

Ingredients

For the Spring Mix Salad:

Spring Mix Lettuce: (10 ounces) The foundation of our salad, spring mix offers a delightful blend of tender baby greens like romaine, red leaf, baby spinach, and oak leaf, providing a diverse range of textures and mild flavors.
Mandarin Oranges: (1 can, 11 ounces, drained) These segments add a juicy sweetness and vibrant citrus burst that perfectly complements the dressing and the greens. Fresh mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented, can also be used for an even fresher taste.
Grapefruit Segments: (1 medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented) Bringing a slightly tart and tangy counterpoint to the mandarin oranges, grapefruit adds depth and complexity to the citrus profile of the salad. Pink or red grapefruit will also add a beautiful color.
Avocado: (1 ripe, diced) Creamy and rich, avocado provides a wonderful textural contrast to the crisp greens and juicy citrus. It also adds healthy fats and a subtle buttery flavor.
Red Onion: (¼ medium, thinly sliced or red onion) A touch of red onion introduces a mild sharpness and a bit of bite that cuts through the sweetness of the citrus and adds another layer of flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
Toasted Almonds: (½ cup, slivered or sliced) These provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that elevates the salad’s texture and taste. Toasting the almonds brings out their flavor even more. Pecans or walnuts could also be used as alternatives.
Feta Cheese: (Optional, ½ cup, crumbled) For those who enjoy a salty and tangy element, crumbled feta cheese adds a delightful creamy and salty counterpoint to the sweet and bright flavors. Goat cheese or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese could also be used. (Note: Omit for a vegan version).

For the Citrus Dressing:

Fresh Orange Juice: (¼ cup, from about 1 large orange) The base of our citrus dressing, fresh orange juice provides sweetness and a bright, sunny flavor that ties all the elements together. Freshly squeezed is always best for maximum flavor.
Fresh Lemon Juice: (2 tablespoons, from about ½ lemon) Lemon juice adds a necessary tartness and acidity to balance the sweetness of the orange juice and create a well-rounded citrus profile. Freshly squeezed is crucial for the best taste.
Olive Oil: (¼ cup, extra virgin) A good quality extra virgin olive oil provides richness and body to the dressing, while also contributing healthy fats and a subtle peppery note.
Dijon Mustard: (1 teaspoon) Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and emulsifying quality to the dressing, helping to bind the oil and citrus juices together.
Honey or Maple Syrup: (1 tablespoon) A touch of sweetness is needed to balance the acidity of the citrus juices and create a harmonious dressing. Honey or maple syrup both work wonderfully. For a vegan option, use maple syrup or agave nectar.
Salt: (½ teaspoon, or to taste) Salt enhances all the flavors in the dressing and brings them together. Sea salt or kosher salt are recommended.
Black Pepper: (¼ teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste) Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor to the dressing.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Citrus Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified and slightly thickened. If using a jar, secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, honey, or lemon juice to your preference. Set aside while you prepare the salad ingredients. Allowing the dressing to sit for a few minutes helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Wash and thoroughly dry the spring mix lettuce. If using fresh mandarin oranges and grapefruit, carefully peel them and segment them over a bowl to catch any juices, which can be added to the dressing for extra citrus flavor. Dice the avocado into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion or finely chop it if you prefer a less intense onion flavor. Toast the almonds by placing them in a dry skillet over medium heat and cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Alternatively, you can toast them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. If using feta cheese, crumble it into small pieces.
Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, gently combine the spring mix lettuce, mandarin orange segments, grapefruit segments, diced avocado, and red onion. If you are adding feta cheese, you can add it now or sprinkle it on top just before serving.
Dress the Salad: Just before serving, drizzle about half to three-quarters of the citrus dressing over the salad. Toss gently to ensure all the greens are lightly coated with the dressing. Start with less dressing and add more to your liking, as you can always add more but you can’t take it away. Avoid overdressing the salad, as this can make it soggy.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the salad for a delightful crunch. Serve immediately to enjoy the salad at its freshest and crispiest. If you have any leftover dressing, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 350
Fat: 25g