Let’s dress up our table with this vibrant and refeshing seasonal salad during those cold winter dreary days. It is loaded with seasonal ingredients making it oh so delicious!
We often don’t think of making a salad during the winter months and yet there are many options to create a delicious and beautiful salad that would dress up a table or dish. Since I live in Canada, the greens are shipped in, which means it can be expensive and often the freshness doesn’t last as long as they would if buying local. So it is important to look at the best before date when buying fresh produce.
WHAT MAKES THIS SALAD SO DELICIOUS
If you have had arugula before you know it tends to have a bitter and peppery taste and many people are not in favour of the taste. So that’s why I added romaine lettuce in this salad to balance the flavours of the greens creating a much pleasant and flavourful salad.
Oranges are so refreshing and bright to add to a salad. I added a clementine orange as it is my favourite orange to eat throughout the winter months. They tend to be much sweeter in flavour.
Toasting the walnuts brings out it’s nutty flavour and by combining it with honey creating a sweet and crunch texture.
Pomegranate seeds brighten up any dish and not to much it’s healthy benefits. They are high in antioxidants, fiber and fatty acids which helps to reduce diseases.
The dressing I made for this salad is simple yet fresh and flavourful.
INGREDIENTS
Greens: combined arugula and romaine lettuce in this salad and often like to use organic is all possible
Radishes: adds colour and flavour
Red onion: is a mild onion to add to salad with a slight onion flavour
Orange: clementine orange is my favourite to add for it’s sweetness
Pomegranate seeds: will dress up any salad and it’s so healthy for us
Walnuts: by toasting them to honey, creates a crunch flavour addition
Feta: is optional and lovely if you like to add cheese to this salad
Dressing: consists of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice (feel free to substitute with orange juice) , honey, Dijon, salt and pepper; simple yet compliments this salad.
I have to admit, I don’t eat salads too often during the winter months for various reasons. Although, when I crave a good salad or having a dinner party, I will make a salad to accompany the meal I am serving. This salad is one of those that is perfect with any roasts, grilled meats and it is lovely with a roast turkey or chicken.
This salad is simple, easy to make ahead of time and have all your ingredients prepared and ready, then add the ingredients except the walnuts and pomegranate seeds to your serving bowl, drizzle with the dressing and toss gently. Scatter the walnuts and pomegranates seeds throughout. If using feta, now is the time to add it as well. Trust me, this salad will impress and dress up any table!!
Arugula and Orange Salad with Toasted Walnuts
Equipment
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 2 heaping cups baby arugula
- 2 heaping cups romaine
- 3 radishes, thinly sliced
- ¼ red onion, sliced
- 1 clementine orange
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ⅓ walnuts, toasted
- ¼ cup feta, crumbled (optional)
Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1½ tsp honey
- ½ tsp Dijon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon and salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a salad dressing container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Wash and dry the arugula and romaine lettuce. Break into bite size pieces. Add the large bowl. Add and arrange red onions, radishes, and orange pieces.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss. Arrange the pomegrates, walnuts and feta if using on top. Serve immediately.
