Citrus Salad

• Peel the grapefruit,
• 1 grapefruit
• 1 Chinese grapefruit
• 2 navel oranges
• 3 blood oranges
• Half a pomegranate
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1/4 cup pistachio halves/pieces
  

Really any citrus that looks good will do.
Chinese grapefruit doesn't have the bitterness a traditional grapefruit.

I bought 1 extra if each citrus just to make the dressing.

Peel the grapefruit, navel oranges, and blood oranges. Before discarding, squeeze any excess juice from the pieces of the peel into a small saucepan. Slice the grapefruit, navel oranges, and blood oranges into rounds on a cutting board, then brush any leftover juice on the cutting board into the saucepan. De-seed the pomegranate half, and add that juice into the saucepan as well. Add the cumin, vanilla extract, and raw honey to the juices, then bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes. While the juices and spices cook down, arrange the fruit rounds on a tray. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and pistachio pieces, and drizzle with the juice mixture. Enjoy!

Citrus Berry Salad

My sister told me about this salad she always gets at a restaurant called "Zupa's" and my mouth started watering! I HAD to make it tonight for dinner - it was so delicious - and even my kids and husband loved it!

The original has a house made dressing, pistachios instead of candied pecans and doesn't have chicken - I just went with what I had on hand.

Citrus Berry Salad
Spinach
Romaine
Blackberries
Mandarin oranges
Craisins
Candied pecans
Goat cheese
Grilled chicken
Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette

OMGee. My son also added pomegranate seeds to his.

Watermelon and Halloumi

I have been LOVING watermelon salads this summer. I found this recipe in the July/August issue of Food Network Magazine - it's a good one from Michael Symon.

He uses Halloumi (a Mediterranean/ Greek cheese) and I couldn't find that here at my local grocery - but I did find Queso Panaela (a Mexican cheese) here and that is a good substitute. They both can be heated to high temperatures without melting…

Watermelon and Halloumi
1 tsp minced shallot
1 tsp minced garlic
Kosher salt
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1 T honey
1/2 c plus 1 T evoo
2 T sliced almonds, toasted
2 T chopped fresh mint
8 small wedges seedless watermelon (I did big steaks)
8 oz Halloumi or Queso Panela cheese, cut into 8 slices

Place shallot and garlic in a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt. Add the vinegar and honey and whisk. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil, then add the almonds and mint.

Place the watermelon in a shallow dish. Pour the dressing on top, cover and let marinate 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the remaining oil. Sear the cheese 1 minute per side, them remove from the pan. Top each with a piece of marinated watermelon.

*I didn't add the almonds to the marinade - I like them crunchy. I also put the cheese on top - super delicious!!

Watermelon and Mint Salad

I posted another Watermelon Salad recipe HERE a few years ago - watermelon is so crisp and refreshing - I love pairing it with savory elements and enjoying it all summer long.

This is another take on watermelon salad - super delicious!!

Watermelon and Mint Salad
5 lb watermelon

1/2 vidalia onion (or red onion) finely diced

1/4 c red wine vinegar

1/2 c evoo

2 T chopped fresh mint leaves

4 oz feta, crumbled

Salt & pepper to taste

Cut the flesh from the melon and cut into bite size pieces, removing and discarding the seeds, and set aside. Add diced onion.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, a few drops at a time. Add in the chopped mint, taste, and adjust seasonings.

In a large bowl, combine the melon, onion, and feta. Pour the dressing over the melon mixture and toss gently until everything is coated and evenly mixed. 

Serve cold.

Cranberry-Avocado Salad with Candied Spiced Almonds and Sweet White Balsamic Vinaigrette

I saw this salad on pinterest and started drooling... I got this recipe on The Cafe Sucre Farine. Recipe and photo credits to her:) Thanks for the recipe!!

Cranberry-Avocado Salad with Candied Spiced Almonds and Sweet White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients for the dressing:
⅓ cup sugar
1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
1 ½ tablespoons sesame seeds
½ teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried mustard
1 tablespoon minced sweet onion
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup white balsamic vinegar
⅓ cup vegetable oii
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Ingredients for the salad:
12 ounces baby spinach, arugula, field greens
1 small bunch cilantro, washed and dried, leaves removed whole from stems
2 medium avocados, peeled and halved
¾ cup dried cranberries
¾ cup Candied Spiced Almonds***
Directions:
1. For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a pint sized glass jar and shake well to dissolve sugar.

2. For the salad, place greens and cilantro leaves in a large bowl. Add avocado and dried cranberries and about 1/4 cup of the dressing and toss gently. Scatter candied almonds over salad and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pass extra dressing at the table.

***Candied Spiced Almonds
5 cups sliced almonds, or a 1 pound package*
½ cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin*
1-1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika* - some smoked paprikas are quite hot, if you don't like "hot", just use 1 teaspoon and they will be mildly spiced.
1 teaspoon vanilla
sea salt

*The cumin and the smoked paprika give just a hint of mysterious, delicious flavor - even though these are savory spices, these almonds are still wonderful served with sweets like ice cream or yogurt.

Directions:
1. Place a large sheet of foil on a work surface. Spray with cooking spray or rub a teaspoon of oil over foil with a paper towel.

2. Place sugar in a large non-stick sauté pan and heat over medium heat , occasionally tipping and swirling the sugar until it is all melted into a pale golden syrup.

3. Lower heat immediately and add butter, cinnamon, smoked paprika and vanilla. Stir until well combined and all butter is incorporated into the sugar syrup.

4. Add the nuts and stir gently to coat. Don't worry if you have some clumps of caramelized sugar - they will melt as you continute to sauté the almonds. Cover and continue to cook on low, stirring every minute or so until almonds are a delicious golden brown. Watch very carefully as they can go from beautiful to burned very quickly! Turn out onto prepared foil and sprinkle liberally with sea salt. Spread out on foil to cool.

Chili's Caribbean Salad

I used to frequent Chili's restaraunt a couple of times a month. Every single time I went there - I had the Caribbean Salad - with Honey Lime dressing - yummmm. The last time I went - they had taken it off the menu! How dare they!! I have had to resort to making my own version. I searched online to find a copycat dressing recipe. None of them were 'perfect.' So, I have come up with my own - a combination of sorts from 4 different 'copycat' recipes - and I am telling you - THIS IS THE ONE BABY! To all my sisters and my Mom - you have to make this - it is exactly the salad we have eaten so many times at the restaurant!! If you've never tried it, it sounds like an unusual combo of flavors - but it is sooooo good (did I say that already?)

HONEY LIME DRESSING

1/4 c Grey Poupon mustard (the smooth kind)

1/4 c Honey

1 c Mayonnaise

1 T Sesame seed oil

1 1/2 T apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 t lime juice

1 1/2 T sugar

Blend all together, cover and chill. I make this a little ahead so the flavors have time to mesh. I usually double the recipe - it keeps for about a month.

SALAD

Lettuce (I use romain)

Corn

Black beans

Tortilla chips

Mandarin oranges

Pineapple chunks

Your favorite teriyaki sauce (mine is Yoshidas)

chicken

pico de gallo (or like tonight - I just used fresh salsa and drained the juice out of it)

and I add cucumber

Marinate the chicken in Teriyaki sauce for atleast 2 hours - grill and cube. Add all other components - and try not to drool before you take your first bite.

This is the best way to get your kids to eat salad! They have so many choices - they can make the salad to their liking! My 6 year old had chicken, corn, mandarine oranges and cucumber. My 4 year old had that plus pineapple and lettuce. Lil Boo (16 mo.) added black beans and corn. Of course -hubs and I had the works!! *I put all the ingredients in the fridge (except the chicken) a couple of hours ahead of time - so everything is nice and cold and crisp!