This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Snapple. The opinions and text are all mine. #TrueTeaTaste
Looking for a new summer salad recipe? This Citrus Spinach Salad with Orange Shallot Dressing is delicious and was passed down from a neighbor years ago.
When we were kids, our parents were really into potlucks, barbecues, and having friends over. It always seemed like our home was full of people. Whether it was neighbors doing a pop in or family members stopping by to jump in the pool, there was always someone at our house. I don’t think I paid any real attention to it because it was always like that.
As we got older, they even encouraged us kids to have our friends over whenever we wanted to. So we did. Our parents never really needed to worry about where we were because we were always home hanging out with our friends.
So it only seems natural that our Mom’s cookbook is stuffed full of recipes from friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers too. And there’s no rhyme or reason to them – they’re just stuffed inside the jacket cover of her favorite cookbook. Some are jotted down on bits of paper, some on scrawled on napkins, and some are just ripped out from ancient magazines no longer in publication.
It’s like treasure hunting whenever you open the cookbook up. You never know what recipe will tumble into your hands next, which is how we found this one for a Citrus Spinach Salad with Orange Shallot Dressing. It was written down on a very loved piece of yellowed paper in a handwriting that no one recognized. But the ingredients were delicious and I knew it would be a perfect recipe to serve on hot summer days.
Once the temps heat up, I try to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible. Nothing makes me crankier than having to turn on the oven when it’s blazing outside. I’m all about easy summer food like lots of tasty salads, grilled fruit and vegetables. If it can be tossed together in just a few minutes and the prep work can be done outdoors – even better!
To keep our summer alfresco meals nice and simple, we also like to serve iced tea with some of our meals. No matter how old I get, nothing will say “summer’s here” like kicking back with a nice cold glass of iced tea. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved Snapple® and it’s my go-to refreshment whenever I’m in need of something sweet. I love that it’s made with all-natural ingredients and no artificial anything. My new favorite variety is their Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea Sorta Sweet Honey Green Tea and I’m enjoying it along with the other new variety, Rooibos.
Fruity Green Teas are delicious when served alongside salads and lighter meats like chicken, which is why I find that the Sorta Sweet Honey Green Tea pairs remarkably well with this Citrus Spinach Salad.
CITRUS SPINACH SALAD WITH ORANGE SHALLOT DRESSING
Citrus Spinach Salad Ingredients:
- Sesame Seeds
- 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
- 1 pink grapefruit, peel and sectioned
- 1 orange, peeled and sectioned
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Citrus Shallot Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 small shallots, minced
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
Step 1: In a small skillet, over medium heat, briefly toast the sesame seeds until golden. Set aside.
Step 2: Whisk the first four dressing ingredients – garlic through shallots – together until well blended. Once fully incorporated, whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until well blended. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large clean bowl, toss together spinach, fruit, sesame seeds, and 4 tablespoons of Citrus Shallot Dressing. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Add more dressing if necessary, but don’t over do it.
Optional: This salad is also lovely when paired with grilled chicken for as a main meal. When serving it this way, I like to plate up each salad individually and the place the sliced grilled chicken breast on top.
Do you have a favorite summer salad recipe? And how much do you love the new, chic label on the Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.
Happy summer,
Denine
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