Description
A refreshing and vibrant Citrus Arugula Salad featuring peppery arugula, sweet and tangy citrus segments, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted nuts, all brought together with a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or an elegant side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 4 cups arugula (baby or regular)
- 2 oranges (navel or blood oranges), peeled and segmented
- 1 grapefruit (optional), peeled and segmented
- 2 tbsp crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup toasted almonds or pistachios
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds or pistachios until fragrant and slightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Citrus: Peel and segment the oranges and grapefruit, carefully removing as much of the membrane as possible to avoid bitterness and enhance smooth texture in the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, fresh orange juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well combined and emulsified, creating a vibrant citrus vinaigrette.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine fresh arugula, the citrus segments, and thinly sliced red onion to build the flavorful base of the salad.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle the citrus vinaigrette evenly over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the delicate greens.
- Top and Serve: Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and the toasted nuts on top for a creamy and crunchy finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.
Notes
- Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning; stir frequently for even toasting.
- Peeling citrus over a bowl can catch juices for added salad flavor or dressing enhancement.
- Use fresh juice over bottled for best dressing flavor.
- This salad is best served fresh but dressing can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated.
- Grapefruit is optional but adds a nice tart balance to the sweet oranges.
