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Sunshine Salad

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Experience pure sunshine with this vibrant, easy-to-assemble salad! Featuring crisp greens, sweet mandarin oranges, and crunchy garden veggies.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups mixed greens
  • 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare the salad components. Wash and thoroughly dry the mixed greens. Core and dice the yellow bell pepper. Peel and shred the carrots. Dice the English cucumber. If using canned mandarin oranges, ensure they are well-drained. Roughly chop the toasted pecans.
  2. Step 2: Assemble the salad base. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, diced yellow bell pepper, shredded carrots, diced cucumber, and mandarin orange segments.
  3. Step 3: Prepare the citrus vinaigrette. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Season the dressing with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Step 4: Dress the salad. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss gently until all ingredients are lightly and evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Step 5: Garnish and serve. Sprinkle the chopped toasted pecans over the top of the dressed salad for added crunch and flavor. Serve the Sunshine Salad immediately.

Notes

  • To keep your Sunshine Salad fresh and vibrant, store the dressing separately from the greens, veggies, and pecans in airtight containers; combine them just before serving to maintain the perfect crispness.
  • As this is a delightful cold salad, there's no need for reheating; enjoy it chilled straight from the fridge or at cool room temperature for the best refreshing taste and texture.
  • This bright and zesty salad makes a wonderful light lunch on its own, a perfect companion to grilled chicken or fish, or a refreshing side dish for any summer gathering.
  • For a truly exceptional salad where the dressing clings beautifully, always ensure your mixed greens are thoroughly dried after washing—any excess water will dilute that lovely citrus vinaigrette.
  • Author: olivia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 large salad
  • Calories: 475
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Protein: 15g

Find it online: https://cookiio.com/sunshine-salad/