Spinach Caramelized Almond with Mandarin Orange Salad

Brighten up your table with this Spinach Caramelized Almond and Mandarin Orange Salad—a refreshing blend of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors that’s as delicious as it is easy to prepare! This vibrant salad starts with a base of crisp baby spinach leaves, complemented by juicy mandarin orange segments for a citrusy burst of freshness. Sliced almonds are caramelized to a golden perfection, adding a delightful crunch and a touch of sweetness. A homemade dressing made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard ties everything together with its rich and zesty flavor profile. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is perfect as a light appetizer or a stunning side dish for any meal. Packed with texture and flavor, it’s sure to become a go-to for both casual gatherings and elegant dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 whole mandarin oranges
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

1. Wash and dry the baby spinach leaves thoroughly. Place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

2. Peel the mandarin oranges, separate the segments, and remove any seeds or excess pith. Add the segments to the salad bowl.

Step 3

3. In a dry skillet over medium heat, add the sliced almonds and sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over them. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the almonds, creating a golden caramel. Quickly transfer the caramelized almonds to a sheet of parchment paper and spread them out to cool. Be careful, as the caramel will be very hot.

Step 4

4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This will be your salad dressing.

Step 5

5. Once the caramelized almonds have cooled and hardened, break them into small pieces and add them to the salad bowl with the spinach and mandarin oranges.

Step 6

6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Step 7

7. Serve the salad immediately as a refreshing appetizer or light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(532.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1378.3

Total Fat 112.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 813.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 79.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.2g	0%
Total Sugars 46.6g
Protein 32.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 610.4mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 2086.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.3%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 21.8%