Crispy Spinach and Mandarin Salad with Poppy Seed Delight
Discover a refreshing culinary experience with our Crispy Spinach and Mandarin Salad, topped with a luscious Poppy Seed Delight dressing. This vibrant salad is a medley of textures and flavors: the crispness of fresh spinach, the sweetness of juicy mandarin oranges, and the crunch of toasted pine nuts come together harmoniously. Each bite is enhanced by the zing of Granny Smith apples and a zesty, sweet dressing made from balsamic vinegar and honey. Perfect for any occasion, this salad is a delightful way to enjoy seasonal produce and will surely impress your family and friends!
6
Servings
80
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Mandarin orange segments
1 (10-ounce can, drained)
Granny Smith apple
1 (cored and cut into 1/2 inch chunks)
Lemon juice
1/4 (cup)
Fresh spinach
1 (10-ounce package, trimmed, washed, and torn into bite-sized pieces)
Pine nuts
1/3 (cup, toasted)
Orange juice concentrate
1/4 (cup)
Balsamic vinegar
2 (tablespoons)
Olive oil
2 (tablespoons)
Liquid honey
2 (tablespoons)
Poppy seed
1 (teaspoon)
Dijon mustard
1 (teaspoon)
Salt
1/4 (teaspoon)
Pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
Begin by toasting the pine nuts. Place them in a small frying pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until they turn golden brown. Keep a close watch to avoid burning them. Once toasted, remove from heat and allow them to cool.
2
While the pine nuts are cooling, prepare the Granny Smith apple. Core the apple and cut it into 1/2 inch chunks. To prevent browning, toss the apple pieces in lemon juice as you cut them and set them aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, prepare the Poppy Seed Delight dressing. Whisk together the orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4
Add the freshly washed and torn spinach to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to ensure all the spinach leaves are well coated in the dressing.
5
Divide the dressed spinach among individual salad bowls or plates. Top each serving with the lemon-drenched apple chunks, drained mandarin orange segments, and a generous sprinkle of the toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
9g
Carbs
1g
Protein
1g
Fiber
4g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Crispy Spinach and Mandarin Salad with Poppy Seed Delight.
How many servings does this salad make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the primary ingredients in the salad?
The main ingredients include fresh spinach, mandarin orange segments, Granny Smith apples, and toasted pine nuts.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains 80 calories.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this salad is tagged as a vegetarian recipe.
How do I prepare the pine nuts?
Place them in a small frying pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden brown, then let them cool.
How can I prevent the apples from browning?
Toss the 1/2 inch chunks of Granny Smith apple in lemon juice immediately after cutting.
What ingredients are in the Poppy Seed Delight dressing?
The dressing consists of orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, liquid honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
What kind of vinegar is used in this recipe?
Balsamic vinegar is used for the dressing.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 4 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 9 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does the salad provide?
This salad provides 1 gram of protein per serving.
Should I use fresh or canned mandarin oranges?
The recipe calls for one 10-ounce can of mandarin orange segments, drained.
What type of mustard is required?
One teaspoon of Dijon mustard is required for the dressing.
How much honey is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of liquid honey.
Are there any poppy seeds in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds.
What kind of apples should I buy?
Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tartness and texture.
How should the spinach be prepared?
The spinach should be trimmed, washed, and torn into bite-sized pieces.
What is the dietary fiber content?
Each serving contains 1 gram of fiber.
How much sugar is in a serving?
There are 4 grams of sugar per serving.
Can I make the dressing in advance?
Yes, you can whisk the dressing ingredients together and keep them until you are ready to toss the salad.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, the instructions recommend serving immediately for the best flavor and texture.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Is there salt and pepper in the recipe?
Yes, it uses 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
What size should the apple chunks be?
The apples should be cut into 1/2 inch chunks.
Does this salad contain cholesterol?
The data indicates that the cholesterol level is null or negligible.
What is the source of the citrus flavor in the dressing?
The citrus flavor comes from 1/4 cup of orange juice concentrate.
How many ingredients in total are needed?
The recipe lists a total of 13 ingredients.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to toast the pine nuts in a small frying pan over medium heat.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, spinach salad, mandarin salad, healthy recipe, vegetarian, and refreshing.