Bright Spinach Salad with Apricot Citrus Vinaigrette
Elevate your salad game with this delightfully fresh Bright Spinach Salad, featuring the sweetness of dried apricots, juicy grape tomatoes, and rich crumbled goat cheese. The addition of creamy avocado and crunchy pecans provides a satisfying texture that complements the vibrant spinach leaves. Drizzled with a homemade Apricot Citrus Vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish to any meal. A touch of orange juice and apricot jam in the vinaigrette ties all the flavors together, creating a dish that is not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor.
6
Servings
142
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh Baby Spinach
10 ounces (washed and trimmed)
Grape Tomatoes
1 pint (halved)
Purple Onion
1 small (thinly sliced)
Dried Apricot
1/2 cup (chopped)
Goat Cheese
4 ounces (crumbled)
Avocado
1 ripe (peeled and diced)
Toasted Pecans
1/2 cup (chopped)
Vegetable Oil
1/3 cup (none)
White Wine Vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
Orange Juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Apricot Jam
2 tablespoons (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Ground Coriander
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Fresh Ground Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Apricot Citrus Vinaigrette by whisking together the vegetable oil, white wine vinegar, orange juice, apricot jam, salt, ground coriander, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, halved grape tomatoes, thinly sliced purple onion, chopped dried apricots, crumbled goat cheese, diced avocado, and toasted pecans.
3
Drizzle the prepared Apricot Citrus Vinaigrette over the salad mixture, and gently toss until all ingredients are coated evenly with the dressing.
4
Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
8g
Carbs
3g
Protein
2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bright Spinach Salad?
It is a fresh salad featuring baby spinach, dried apricots, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, avocado, and toasted pecans with a homemade apricot citrus vinaigrette.
How do I make the Apricot Citrus Vinaigrette?
Whisk together vegetable oil, white wine vinegar, orange juice, apricot jam, salt, ground coriander, and black pepper until smooth.
What type of spinach should I use?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of fresh baby spinach, washed and trimmed.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
Is this salad vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, this salad is vegetarian.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 142 calories per serving.
What kind of tomatoes are best for this recipe?
Grape tomatoes are recommended, specifically one pint halved.
What type of cheese is used in the salad?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of crumbled goat cheese.
How should the pecans be prepared?
The pecans should be toasted and chopped.
Can I use a different type of onion?
The recipe specifies a small purple onion, thinly sliced, for its color and flavor.
What gives the vinaigrette its citrus flavor?
Freshly squeezed orange juice provides the citrus element in the dressing.
How much fat is in each serving?
Each serving contains 11g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count for this salad?
There are 8g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this salad provide any protein?
Yes, there are 3g of protein per serving.
How much fiber is in a serving?
Each serving contains 2g of fiber.
What spices are used in the vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette uses salt, ground coriander, and freshly ground black pepper.
How should the avocado be prepared?
Use one ripe avocado, peeled and diced.
What type of vinegar is needed for the dressing?
Two tablespoons of white wine vinegar are used.
Can I use fresh apricots instead of dried?
While dried apricots are specified for their concentrated sweetness, fresh apricots can be substituted for a different texture.
What is the purpose of apricot jam in the recipe?
The apricot jam adds sweetness and body to the citrus vinaigrette.
How do I assemble the salad?
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the ingredients and dressing separately, but it is best to toss and serve immediately for optimal texture.
What type of oil is used in the dressing?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of vegetable oil.
How much apricot jam is required?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of apricot jam.
Is the orange juice store-bought or fresh?
The recipe recommends using freshly squeezed orange juice.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include salad, spinach, healthy, fresh, vegetarian, and summer salad.
How much ground coriander is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander.
Should the dressing be chilled?
You can set it aside to let flavors meld, but it does not specifically require chilling before tossing.
Is this recipe suitable for potlucks?
Yes, its vibrant colors and fresh flavors make it a perfect choice for picnics and potlucks.
How do I adjust the seasoning?
After tossing the salad, taste it and add additional salt and pepper as desired.