Description
A refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean orange salad featuring juicy Navel oranges, crunchy pomegranate seeds, and fresh mint, dressed with a honey-lime dressing infused with a hint of orange blossom water. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 25 fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 6 Navel oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 pinch sweet paprika
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pomegranate, seeded (about 1 to 1 1/4 cups seeds)
Dressing
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange blossom water (optional)
Instructions
- Soften the onion: Place the thinly sliced onions in a bowl of ice water. Let them soak for 10 minutes to mellow their sharpness. Remove from the water and pat dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and orange blossom water until well combined. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the serving platter: Spread half of the chopped fresh mint leaves evenly over the platter. Arrange the peeled and sliced orange rounds and softened onion slices on top.
- Season the salad: Lightly sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt, sweet paprika, and ground cinnamon evenly over the oranges and onions to add depth of flavor.
- Add pomegranate seeds: Scatter the pomegranate seeds generously over the salad, adding a burst of color and a sweet-tart crunch.
- Dress and finish: Drizzle the prepared honey-lime dressing over the salad to taste. Finally, sprinkle the remaining fresh mint leaves on top. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to marry.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to 2 hours before serving.
- Orange blossom water is optional but adds an aromatic floral note that complements the citrus flavors wonderfully.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- If pomegranates are out of season, dried cranberries or chopped fresh strawberries can be used as an alternative.
- Adjust the amount of honey-lime dressing to your taste preference; it can be served lightly dressed or more generously.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 149.4 kcal
- Sugar: 21.8 g
- Sodium: 11.5 mg
- Fat: 3.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5.8 g
- Protein: 2.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
