This Orange, Hazelnut, Smoked Salmon salad is a refreshing mid-winter meal, perfect for when you’re dreaming of spring, but the temperatures say otherwise.
I couldn’t let winter go by without celebrating citrus season. Mandarin oranges are a regular winter presence in the counter-top fruit bowl at my house. They’re delicious little snacks, but they’re also wonderful juicy additions to this bright winter salad. Citrus is a delightful flavor pairing with toasted hazelnuts and smoked salmon, and the salty feta on top of this salad rounds out the perfect bite. Finished with a light champagne vinaigrette, this salad is a refreshing and light winter dinner or lunch.
This salad has been on repeat all month as we recover from the cheese-and-cookie holidays. I’m lucky to have a regular supply of smoked salmon thanks to the talents of my dad, but you can also purchase smoked salmon in the store. You’re looking for a hot-smoked salmon here, not a cold-smoked salmon - the fish should be cooked.
This salad is a delicious combination of sweet, salty, juicy, and crunchy. Take advantage of the remaining winter citrus fruits and put this salad on your meal plan this week!
This Orange, Hazelnut, Smoked Salmon salad is a refreshing mid-winter meal, perfect for when you’re dreaming of spring, but the temperatures say otherwise.
For vinaigrette:
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup champagne vinegar
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
For salad:
5 oz. spring mix greens
1 small head butter lettuce, leaves roughly torn
4 mandarin oranges, peeled, divided into segments
1/2 lb. smoked salmon, flaked into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, roughly chopped
1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles
Note: If you do not plan on serving immediately, or anticipate leftovers, do not dress the salad with the vinaigrette. Dress individual portions with vinaigrette, to avoid wilting the greens when storing the salad in the fridge. Store the vinaigrette and the undressed salad in the fridge.
I invite you to try my seasonally-inspired,
plant-based recipes to create your own
joyful plateful!
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