Gluten Free Living – 2014

Mandarin Orange Almond Salad is terrific. We really enjoyed it when we served it for company a few weeks ago. It’s really simple and easy to make, too. On top of that it doesn’t use very many ingredients. This salad is made with romaine lettuce, diced red onion, mandarin orange segments, and sugared almonds that you make yourself.

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After melting sugar in a saucepan you combine it with the almonds and then let them cool. Break them apart and toss them on the salad. They’re wonderful. While the recipe called for one full cup of almonds, this salad really didn’t need more than a half cup in my estimation. But they were so good that I threw all of them on top of the salad after I took pictures.

Of all places, I found this recipe on the back of a Fisher Almond package. I cut it off and taped it into my recipe book awhile back. I have found some of the best recipes on the backs of boxes, cartons, and inside labels of food products. This recipe is one of them! I had to amp up the taste in the salad dressing, however, because it was a little on the bland side.

I added additional honey, orange zest and mandarin orange segments and emulsified the ingredients in my blender. While I used walnut oil, I’ve found both walnut oil and grapeseed oil are a little overpowering in salad dressings. I think avocado oil would be a better choice for this salad dressing.

There were seven of us eating dinner the night I served this salad. The salad bowl was cleaned down to the nubs so I believe that’s a good sign. This is a quick and easy salad recipe for company or family dinners. In my opinion, Mandarin Orange Almond Salad is a good choice anytime you want salad for lunch or dinner.

Mandarin Orange Almond Salad is amazing.

The sugared almonds make this one scrumptious salad!

If you enjoy mandarin oranges in your salad, you’ll really like this one.

Here’s what I did.

I used these ingredients for the salad.

Melt sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. 

Here the sugar has dissolved.

Add sliced almonds and stir to combine.

Place almonds on waxed paper. Allow almonds to dry, then break them apart in smaller pieces.

In a large salad bowl, place two bags of romaine lettuce. Add diced red onion and mandarin orange segments.

Once almonds cool, sprinkle them over top of the salad.

I used these ingredients for the salad dressing, plus orange zest and mandarin orange segments. While I used walnut oil in the dressing, I think avocado oil would probably be a better option.

Pour all salad dressing ingredients into a blender and emulsify about 10 seconds. Serve over salad.

Mandarin Orange Almond Salad is a tasty salad for company or anytime you’re in the mood for salad.

Here’s a close up so you can see all the delightful ingredients in this simple and easy recipe.

Here’s the recipe.

MANDARIN ORANGE ALMOND SALAD

(Recipe adapted from Fisher Almonds)

The Mandarin Orange Salad Dressing is a great complement to the salad ingredients.

Give this light, refreshing salad a try sometime soon!

My salad dressing includes a beefed up version using orange zest and mandarin orange segments for more flavor. This dressing is tangy. If you prefer a sweeter dressing add additional honey.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Spinach Salad

Mandarin Spinach Salad

Spinach and Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing