This salad is the perfect way to brighten up the cold, dull days of winter, particularly this year when a good portion of the country has been covered in a deep blanket of snow. The bright, warm colors come from a mixture of Cara Cara and blood oranges, which happen to be in season right now. While you can use any kind of orange for this salad, Cara Caras and blood oranges add a pretty and unexpected burst of color. Cara Caras were first cultivated at Hacienda Cara Cara, hence the name, in Venezuela in 1976. They are a cross-breed between Washington navel oranges and Brazilian Bahia navel oranges. Their rosy colored flesh, similar to a grapefruit, is a result of the antioxidant lycopene. Some studies have shown that diets rich in lycopene may lower the risk of cancer. The ruby flesh found in blood oranges comes from anthocyanin, another powerful antioxidant. Interestingly, the deep red color only appears if the fruit is exposed to cold weather during growth or after harvest. Both varieties are sweet, delicious and a great source of fiber and vitamin C.
The dressing on this salad is slightly sweet, with a nice crunch from the addition of poppy seeds and fresh pomegranate seeds. Poppy seeds have a somewhat notorious reputation, due in part to the Seinfeld episode in which Elaine tests false positive for opium use. She later learns that it is a result of eating her favorite poppy seed muffins. The ancient Greeks used the opium found in unripe poppy seeds for medicinal purposes. While opium is made from poppies, the poppy seeds found in baked goods and salad dressings are not dangerous. These seeds have reached full maturity and do not contain any narcotic properties. Even so, you might not want to eat this salad just before a drug test in order to avoid a false positive reading.
For my Jewish readers– Purim is not too far away, and poppy seeds are traditionally eaten during the holiday. Consider adding this delicious this seasonal salad to your holiday menu!
To learn how to easily seed a pomegranate, click here.
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Winter Citrus Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
- 5 ounces baby spinach, washed and dried
- 5 oranges (I used a mix of cara cara and blood oranges)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar (for vegan use agave)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- To make dressing, combine ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well combined.
- Assemble the salad, spinach, oranges, sliced avocado and pomegranate seeds in a serving bowl or on individual plates. Drizzle with dressing and serve. If you prefer, you can also toss the spinach with the dressing just before serving, then top with remaining ingredients.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Cheryl Peskin Walters says
Pretty, can’t wait for my blood oranges!
Norma Edwards says
I love, love your creations!!!
Judith DeKorp Craig Matthias says
Looks delicious! By the way, your shakshuka (sp?) recipe was great, and my family loved it!
Tori Avey says
Judith great to hear that! It’s a weekly tradition in our home. 🙂
Judith DeKorp Craig Matthias says
Making this tomorrow…and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!
sippitysup says
I think it’s because we’ve had no winter. But I’ve been seeing the most amazing salads from we (So Cal) bloggers. XOGREG
Denise E. Rose says
lovely; so colorful and nutritious.
Iris Ellner-Miller says
Since I read that oranges and avocados together in salad are a fat buster food I make this our main salad a lot.Then we can have a guilt free dessert. LOL
Regine Cimber-Lorincz says
Magnificent!
Lieba Borensztejn says
i want that for lunch!
Dave Backlund says
That does look good !
Jocelyn Lawry Monacelli says
And this is why I love your posts …. I can’t wait to make this !
Renee Titone says
That looks soooo good!
Deanah Messenger says
I want to come to your house for dinner.
Janet Hanssen says
Do you have a cook book out? cause this looks so yummy I want this salad now….
Patricia Pool Gillogly says
Gorgeous salad…
Sharon Gould Eaton says
Love it.
Sherri Smith-Robertson says
I want some
Nanci Zee says
That looks so yummy! Will definitely make it!
Charles Chaz Drake says
Gorgeous!
Gail Palmer Hicks says
Almost too pretty to eat! Almost…
Sarah says
What a gorgeous salad! Thanks for posting this.