Citrus Spinach Delight Salad
This refreshing Citrus Spinach Delight Salad combines the vibrant flavors of fresh spinach, juicy grapefruits, and sweet oranges for a taste sensation like no other. With the crunch of water chestnuts and the savory touch of mushrooms and bacon bits, this salad is a delightful harmony of textures. Topped with a zesty tart dressing made from grapefruit juice, vegetable oil, and soothing soy sauce, it offers a tangy twist that's perfect for any occasion. Ideal for a light lunch or as a side dish, each bite is packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice for your table. Just a reminder: if you're taking cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins, be sure to consult your doctor about grapefruit consumption!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh spinach leaves
16 ounces (washed and torn into bite-sized pieces)
grapefruits
3 large (peeled and sectioned)
oranges
3 large (peeled and sectioned)
sliced water chestnuts
6 ounces (drained)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
grapefruit juice
3 tablespoons (none)
wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
soy sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Tabasco sauce
1 dash (none)
fresh mushrooms
1/4 pound (sliced)
bacon bits
2 tablespoons (or 3-4 slices of bacon, fried crisp and crumbled)
Instructions
1
Rinse the fresh spinach thoroughly and gently pat dry. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl, creating a vibrant base.
2
Peel the grapefruits and oranges, removing all pith, and then segment them. Arrange the citrus sections on top of the spinach.
3
Drain the sliced water chestnuts, and scatter them over the salad for added crunch.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, grapefruit juice, wine vinegar, soy sauce, and a dash of Tabasco sauce. Mix until well combined to create the dressing.
5
Pour the dressing over the salad, ensuring everything is coated. Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6
Before serving, slice fresh mushrooms and sprinkle them over the top, along with the bacon bits for that delicious, savory finish. Toss gently before serving to mix the ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Citrus Spinach Delight Salad?
It is a refreshing salad that combines fresh spinach leaves with juicy grapefruits and sweet oranges, topped with a zesty tart dressing.
What are the primary fruits used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for three large grapefruits and three large oranges.
How should the spinach be prepared?
The spinach should be rinsed thoroughly, patted dry, and torn into bite-sized pieces.
What ingredients are in the salad dressing?
The dressing is made from vegetable oil, grapefruit juice, wine vinegar, soy sauce, and a dash of Tabasco sauce.
Is there a specific health warning associated with this salad?
Yes, individuals taking cholesterol-lowering medications like statins should consult their doctor regarding grapefruit consumption.
How much spinach is required?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of fresh spinach leaves.
What provides the crunch in this salad?
Six ounces of drained sliced water chestnuts are used to add a crunchy texture.
When should the mushrooms and bacon bits be added?
They should be sprinkled over the top just before serving after the salad has been refrigerated.
How long should the salad be refrigerated?
The salad should be covered and refrigerated for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What type of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 pound of fresh mushrooms, sliced.
Can I use real bacon instead of bacon bits?
Yes, you can use 3 to 4 slices of bacon that have been fried crisp and crumbled.
How do I prepare the citrus segments?
Peel the fruit, remove all white pith, and then segment them.
Is this salad spicy?
It has a very mild kick due to a single dash of Tabasco sauce in the dressing.
What type of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe recommends using two tablespoons of wine vinegar.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a nutrient-packed, healthy choice and is tagged as low-fat.
Is the Citrus Spinach Delight Salad vegetarian?
The salad is tagged as vegetarian, but note that it contains bacon bits which should be omitted for a strictly vegetarian diet.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients listed for this salad.
How much grapefruit juice is needed for the dressing?
The dressing requires three tablespoons of grapefruit juice.
What kind of oil should be used?
Two tablespoons of vegetable oil are used for the dressing base.
Should the water chestnuts be cooked?
No, they should be used sliced and drained from the can.
How do I ensure the dressing is well mixed?
Whisk the oil, juice, vinegar, soy sauce, and Tabasco in a separate bowl until well combined.
Can I serve this as a main course?
It is ideal as a light lunch or as a side dish for a larger meal.
Should I toss the salad before or after refrigerating?
The instructions suggest pouring the dressing over and refrigerating first, then tossing gently just before serving.
How much soy sauce is in the dressing?
The recipe uses one tablespoon of soy sauce.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not provided, but it uses 16 ounces of spinach and 6 pieces of fruit.
What color should the spinach base be?
The recipe describes the spinach as creating a vibrant green base for the salad.
Can I substitute the wine vinegar?
While wine vinegar is called for, other light vinegars could work, though it may change the zesty tart profile.
Are the oranges and grapefruits added together?
Yes, both citrus sections are arranged on top of the spinach at the same time.
Does the recipe use salt?
No additional salt is listed, as the soy sauce and bacon bits provide savory saltiness.
Is this salad refreshing?
Yes, the combination of citrus and fresh spinach makes it a very refreshing dish.