Here we have an easy citrus salad that can be made with whatever type citrus you like best or happen to have at the time. We love it when we can find Cara Cara Naval Oranges, but any juicy sweet orange or grapefruit or combination thereof works. This salad as well as most fruity salads make a great complement to spicy dishes.
A simple salad for citrus season. A great complement to a spicy entree.
*See Kitchen Notes for more information and links to special ingredients.
- 1- 1 1/2 cups citrus*, peeled, wedged, cut in half, and seeds removed
- ¼ cup sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 10 kalamata olives, quartered vertically
- ½ celery stalk, sliced thin
- 2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, toasted*
- 4 whole butter lettuce leaves (for lettuce cups)
- 1 ½ tsp. maple syrup
- 1 ½ tsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 ½ Tbsp. canola or safflower oil
- To make the dressing, whisk together the syrup and vinegar in a large salad bowl. Add the oil and whisk quickly into an emulsion. Taste and adjust the oil or vinegar for your palette.
- Place all ingredients (except for lettuce and nuts) in the bowl with the dressing and toss.
- Divide the lettuce between 2 salad plates. Scoop half of the salad mixture into each of the lettuce cups. Top with nuts.
Citrus – Pretty much any citrus or combination of citrus works – orange, tangelo, tangerine, grapefruit. Our favorite are Cara Cara oranges.
Citrus salad likes to be served next to something spicy. We’ve had this salad as a side to tamales and seared tuna steak with wasabi, enchiladas, and a few other spicy dishes. Spicy and sweet – great complements!
Here are some other salads you might enjoy:
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I’ve never had citrus in a salad this way before, MJ. My mom used to make a wonderful citrus & banana salad during winter months, but there was never a “savory” component to it like the kalamata olives or onion. I’m so intrigued by this combination and love that you had something for tangerines! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year and thanks so much for sharing…
Thanks Mark! My mama made the citrus and banana salad as well! She called it ambrosia and we always had it for the holiday meals. Posting this on your blog today made me hungry for it so I made it for supper tonight. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Salad looks so refreshing, awesome. Thank you for linking with Any One Can Cook 🙂
What a great blend of flavors MJ. The citrus and the olives are lovely and then the maple…yum. The seeds add nice fats and protein and satiating qualities. What a great salad to enjoy any time.
Thanks for sharing it with us at Whole Food Wed. Have a great week and I hope to see you again this week 🙂
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Hey darlin’,
Love it. Great layout, photos, and of course great recipes! YUM!
Beautifully organized and easy to navigate.
Have fun with it. I know Ted and I will.
hugs,
SA
The photo under the tree, well it’s just peachy and so are you. Fondly remember sitting on the back porch with peach juice dripping off my elbows.
Thanks for the great feedback! Weren’t those the best peaches ever?!?!?!