Vibrant Spinach and Mandarin Citrus Salad with Toasted Walnuts
Elevate your salad game with this refreshing Vibrant Spinach and Mandarin Citrus Salad, featuring juicy Del Monte mandarin oranges balanced with crunchy toasted walnuts. This delightful combination is dressed in a zesty Dijon vinaigrette, making it an ideal side dish for any meal or a light lunch option. Packed with vitamins and bursting with flavor, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious, perfect for warm weather gatherings or a healthy weekday lunch!
4
Servings
90
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Del Monte mandarin orange sections
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
lemon juice
2 teaspoons (freshly squeezed)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (not needed)
shallot
1 small (minced)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (not needed)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (not needed)
spinach leaves
6 cups (torn, cleaned, and trimmed)
toasted walnuts
1/2 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by draining the Del Monte mandarin orange sections on paper towels, allowing excess juice to escape.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, and minced shallot. Whisk together until the salt is fully dissolved.
3
Slowly incorporate the vegetable oil and olive oil into the mixture, whisking continuously until the dressing achieves a blended and slightly thickened consistency.
4
Add the cleaned and torn spinach leaves directly into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss the leaves until they are well coated.
5
Next, fold in the drained mandarin orange sections and chopped toasted walnuts, ensuring everything is evenly distributed and the spinach is slightly wilted.
6
Serve immediately, or chill briefly for added refreshment. Enjoy your delightful salad!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
6.5g
Carbs
2g
Protein
1.25g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Spinach and Mandarin Citrus Salad?
It is a refreshing salad featuring juicy Del Monte mandarin oranges, crunchy toasted walnuts, and fresh spinach dressed in a zesty Dijon vinaigrette.
Is this salad recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this salad is vegetarian-friendly.
Is the Vibrant Spinach and Mandarin Citrus Salad gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is categorized as gluten-free.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 90 calories per serving.
What type of mandarin oranges should I use?
The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of Del Monte mandarin orange sections.
How do I prepare the mandarin oranges for the salad?
Drain the mandarin orange sections on paper towels to allow excess juice to escape before adding them to the salad.
What ingredients are needed for the dressing?
The dressing consists of lemon juice, salt, black pepper, Dijon mustard, minced shallot, vegetable oil, and olive oil.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped toasted walnuts.
How much spinach is required?
You will need 6 cups of torn, cleaned, and trimmed spinach leaves.
How do I make the vinaigrette?
Whisk together lemon juice, salt, pepper, mustard, and shallot, then slowly whisk in the vegetable and olive oils until thickened.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 7g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this salad?
There are 6.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this salad provide protein?
Yes, each serving provides 2g of protein.
How much fiber is in the salad?
There is 1.25g of fiber per serving.
What size shallot is recommended?
The recipe suggests using one small minced shallot.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
The recipe recommends 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
What is the preparation for the walnuts?
The walnuts should be toasted and chopped.
Should the spinach be added before the oranges?
Yes, the spinach is tossed with the dressing first, and then the oranges and walnuts are folded in.
Should the salad be served cold?
It can be served immediately or chilled briefly for added refreshment.
Is this salad suitable as a main course?
It is ideal as a side dish or a light lunch option.
How much salt is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt, or more to taste.
What is the role of Dijon mustard in the recipe?
Dijon mustard adds zest to the vinaigrette and helps emulsify the dressing.
What type of oil is used?
The recipe uses a combination of 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Does the spinach need to be wilted?
The spinach will naturally become slightly wilted when tossed with the dressing and other ingredients.
How much black pepper should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
Is this salad a good choice for warm weather?
Yes, it is described as perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Are the oranges used fresh or canned?
The recipe specifically uses canned Del Monte mandarin orange sections.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 10 ingredients.
What is the total preparation time recorded?
The specific preparation time is not listed, but it involves simple whisking, tossing, and folding of ingredients.