Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
User Reviews
5
Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Description
The Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad features tender baby spinach leaves topped with sweet mandarin slices, ruby-red pomegranate seeds, diced creamy avocado, and a mix of toasted almonds and chopped walnuts for crunch. The homemade poppy seed dressing, made by whisking vinegar, sugar, salt, mayonnaise, honey, and poppy seeds, adds a mild sweetness and slight tang to each bite. A little milk can be added to adjust the dressing's consistency.
The salad is assembled by layering the ingredients or combining them gently, then dressing just before serving to keep the textures fresh. The mix of fruit, nuts, and creamy avocado creates a complex flavor profile balanced by the smooth, sweet dressing.
A suggested substitution for the pomegranate arils is fresh raspberries in summer, providing a seasonal variation with a similar tartness. The dressing can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, letting the flavors meld.
Ingredients
Salad
- 5 oz baby spinach
- 3 mandarin orange peeled and segmented, 10 oz
- 3/4 cup pomegranate arils
- 1 avocado diced, medium
- 1/4 cup almonds toasted, sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts chopped
Dressing
- 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise tested with Hellman's light, light
- 1 1/2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
- 1 Tbsp milk if needed
Instructions
- For the dressing: In a small mixing bowl whisk together vinegar, sugar and salt until sugar and salt have dissolved.
- Add mayonnaise, honey and poppy seeds and whisk until combined. Mix in milk to thin if desired. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
- For the salad: In a salad bowl layer spinach, mandarine oranges, pomegranate arils, avocado, almonds and walnuts.
- Pour desired amount of dressing over top (or alternately just dress each serving). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh raspberries can replace pomegranate arils during summer for seasonal variation.
- Prepare the poppy seed dressing in advance and refrigerate to enhance flavor melding.
- Dress the salad just before serving to maintain crisp textures.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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