Winter Citrus Salad
Made this last night and really liked it! Used some incredibly sweet and wonderful satsumas that I got from a friend of mine for the 'oranges'
http://allrecipes.com/howto/fall-and-winter-salads/
Winter Citrus Salad
1/4 cup freshly-squeezed juice from red grapefruit
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons grated grapefruit zest
2/3 cup canola oil
1 (5- to 6-ounce) bag baby spring greens mix
1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach leaves
2 red grapefruits, peeled and segmented
2 small oranges, peeled and segmented
1 sweet red bell pepper, seeds removed, thinly sliced
1/2 of a red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
1 or 2 avocadoes, peeled and sliced
1 cup (or more) Sweet and Spicy Pecans
In a small bowl, whisk together grapefruit juice, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, mustard and grated zest of grapefruit. Gradually whisk in canola oil.
In a large salad bowl, toss spring greens, spinach leaves, grapefruit and orange segments, red pepper and onion slices. Drizzle with some of the Grapefruit Vinaigrette and toss to lightly coat all ingredients in bowl. Add avocado slices and gently toss. Sprinkle salad with Sweet and Spicy Pecans. Serve immediately. If you choose to plate the salad, arrange it on 6 to 8 individual plates. Sprinkle Sweet and Spicy Pecans over each serving. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Sweet and Spicy Pecans
1/4 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided
1 cup warm water
1 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
Combine 1/4 cup sugar with 1 cup warm water and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add pecan halves. Allow pecans to soak for 10 minutes. Drain, discarding sugar water.
Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with chili powder and ground red pepper. Add pecans, tossing to coat. Place pecans on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 10 minutes, stirring once during baking time. Remove from oven and immediately transfer to a plate to cool.
Tips from the cook
--Cooked shrimp or tuna can be added to this salad to create a complete meal on a plate.
--Roasted peanuts are a nice alternative to Sweet and Spicy Pecans.
--Zest of grapefruit is only the colored part of the skin. Leave the bitter white pith behind.