Blood Orange Salad
Sometimes I just feel like a salad. I need it to to balance out things like no bake chocolate cheesecake or brown butter lobster pasta. Let me tell you, this blood orange salad is a real winner.
It feels special you know. Maybe because of the blood oranges. Or maybe because it is absolutely gorgeous.
Seriously, I almost felt guilty eating it the way I almost felt guilty eating the blood orange roast chicken. Because the two dishes are works of art. It’s the blood oranges. Things of beauty that they are.
And just like the blood orange roast chicken, this salad could definitely be dinner party salad. Or if you are us and sort of introverted and entertain like 3 times a year, this is amazing everyday salad. And I do mean every day. After I made it to go along with the blood orange roast chicken, I ate the leftovers 3 days in a row for lunch. And I loved it each day.
How could I not? Tangy and tart blood oranges, spicy arugula, nutty quinoa, and sweet dressing. And let’s not forget the cheese. Salty Parmesan to bring it all together. But don’t feel married to the Parmesan. You could totally substitute ricotta salata or feta. Any cheese with a bit of a salty bite will do. It’s perfect.
And even more glorious: the Goose eats part of this. She actually likes the quinoa and the orange slices. So that’s something. Real food and not fairy dust and bits of magic keeping the child alive. Honestly, I know everyone says not to worry about the picky phase, but I’m a mom. Of course, I worry.
Aside from actually eating bits of this salad, she also took several bites of the oranges before they were peeled. She recently figured out how to eat whole apples. And of course by eat whole apples, I really mean she takes bites of the apples in random spots, and decides after 3 bites she’s done. Toddlers.
So it definitely says a lot that she eats this salad. I mean aside from being my reassurance that she won’t get rickets or something. It means this salad is extra delicious because it’s toddler approved.
Ingredients
- 2 5 ounce bags of arugula
- 4 blood oranges peeled and cut into slices
- 1 cup of uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup of shaved Parmesan cheese or any other kind of salty cheese
For the dressing
- the juice of 1 large orange
- 2 tbs of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbs honey
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 tsp of chopped fresh rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to the instructions on package. Remove from heat and let cool. While quinoa is cooking, peel the oranges and cut them into slices.
- In a large salad bowl, add the arugula. Top with the quinoa and cut orange slices. Finish with Parmesan cheese and toss together.
For the dressing
- In a bowl whisk together the juice of 1 large orange, balsamic vinegar, and the honey. When combined well, vigorously whisk while drizzling in the olive oil. Finish by stirring in the rosemary and salt and pepper. Stir or shake the dressing immediately prior to serving.
Just the name blood orange salad has me interested. Sounds fresh and the arugula is always a win in my books.
This looks like a really yummy salad! I will have to try it out!
Oh I wish this was made in my fridge right now!
Looks delicious AND beautiful!!
The salad looks so yummy. I am that it is toddler approval. Good job on getting her to eat it.
This looks Delicious! I LOVE blood oranges!
OMG this looks so good!! I need!!
Any salad with arugula is just fine with me. It is one of my favorite foods! I’m sure the blood oranges and parm pair with it perfectly! And I totally get the toddlers with apples thing too. My youngest is 2 and insists on eating them whole. It terrifies me, and I don’t let her out of my sight when she’s chowing down, but she has a ball eating them!
Looks gorgeous and delicious. It’s too bad blood oranges are seasonal where I live.
This recipe sounds so good! I wouldn’t have thought to put blood oranges in a salad!
Yum, this sounds so good! I love citrus in salad!
This looks so delicious and beautiful!! Definitely am going to give this recipe a try.
This looks absolutely delicious. Im gonna have to give this a try soon.
This sounds really delicious, and I adore the ingredients for the dressing. Wow! Such flavor and vibrant colors . . . I look forward to trying this recipe. Yay!
Your salad looks so pretty with the blood oranges. The color of the oranges really pops against the green. This is something I’d love to try. Also, yay for your toddler starting to eat fresh fruit.
I just love blood oranges… I’m sure the honey cuts through the tartness well!