Simple Blood Orange Salad

We are in the peak of citrus season, and this Simple Blood Orange Salad is a feast for the eyes and mouth. Super juicy blood oranges with bright herbs and a touch of red onion in a gorgeous Champagne vinaigrette that will delight the palate. It’s sweet, tart, and herbal; it is the perfect winter salad to take you out of the Winter doldrums.

Why you will love this recipe

Sometimes, Mother Nature doesn’t need much help. This is one of those examples—perfectly ripe, juicy Blood oranges in all color ranges in one plate. You can’t get any better than that! One of the many things I love about living in California is the wide range of produce available throughout the year. Even though we don’t experience the seasons the way the rest of the country does, we experience it through produce. And this is one of my favorite seasons, citrus season. In California, the best Blood oranges are grown in the Central, Joaquin Valleys and Ojai. We are lucky to be able to grow and harvest these beauties!

The simplicity of this salad makes it the most delicious. The ingredients flatter the blood oranges rather than overpowering the sweet flavor of the citrus.

How to cut blood oranges for salad

I recommend this straightforward method for preparing oranges for this Blood Orange Salad and any salad that requires citrus fruit. Blood oranges can temporarily stain your fingers, so use gloves if needed.

1. You can use a small paring knife for best control.
2. Slice the top and bottom of the orange. About 1/4 inch, just below the pith. The pith is the white membrane between the fruit’s rind and flesh.
3. Now slice the sides of the orange skin off, again right below the pith.
4. Repeat until all the skin is removed and any pith that might remain.
5. Slice the fruit horizontally in about 1/4 slices.

Champagne Vinaigrette

I also use this salad dressing recipe for my Simple Roasted Beet and Feta Salad; the salad is flavorful and needs a light dressing to let it shine. The same goes for this blood-orange beauty. It’s light and allows the citrus to shine on its own.

• 3 tablespoons of Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tablespoon of honey or agave syrup
• 6 tablespoons of avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil (use good quality)
• salt and pepper to taste

Using a small bowl, combine Champagne vinegar, dijon mustard, and honey. Whisk together. Whisk in the avocado oil until the dressing is completely emulsified. Set aside.

I also make an Orange Honey Dressing for my Orange Fennel Salad with Orange Honey Dressing that is delicious with this Blood Orange Salad. And speaking of all things orange, this incredible Winter Citrus Salad with Orange Honey Dressing and another citrusy favorite Jicama Orange Salad.

Blood Orange Salad ingredients

• Blood oranges or Cara Cara oranges – the star of the salad, the brightly colored red-fleshed oranges, but Cara Cara varieties work well too. Just make sure they are ripe for maximum sweet flavor.
• Red onion or shallot – I use a minimal amount of onion so I don’t overpower the sweet fruit. Traditional Italian Blood Orange salads use more sliced onion.
• Parsley leaves – for that nice slight peppery punch and herbaceous punch
• Mint leaves – for added herbal flavors
• Sea salt – a perfect finish

Assembly

Use a platter that is about 12 inches long.

Place blood orange slices on the platter. Sprinkle finely chopped red onion. Sprinkle the herb leaves. Now you can dress the salad to your liking and finish with a good sea salt. I use a California sea salt harvested by Big Sur Salts.

Suggestions for preparing this salad ahead of time

If you would like to serve this Blood Orange salad later in the day, arrange only orange slices on the platter. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add the finely diced onion, herbs, and Champagne vinaigrette upon serving.

Variations for this salad

Several combinations of vegetables and leafy greens work well with this salad if you want to try tossing some additional ingredients into the mix.

• Sliced fresh fennel bulb
• Arugula
• Spring mix salad greens
• Baby kale
• Sliced cucumber
• Figs
• Strawberries
• Feta cheese
• Goat cheese
• Pistachios
• Manchego cheese
• Sliced avocado

What to serve with this salad

This colorful Simple Blood Orange Salad is wonderful with Simple Herb Roast Chicken and Grilled Steak Salad with Roasted Jalapeño Dressing, Two Ingredient Grilled Tri-Tip Roast, and Spicy Chorizo Shrimp Pizza. This salad complements spicy foods beautifully.

Storing leftovers

If you have any leftovers of this delicious salad, place it in a glass dish with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to two days.

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All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

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