mandarin oranges Archives - Cooking Classy

Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

Jaclyn — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:34:36 +0000

Vibrant Winter Fruit Salad made with fresh apples, mandarins, kiwi, bananas and pomegranate arils and it's all tossed with a refreshing lemon poppyseed dressing. It's always a party favorite and perfect way to use up the fruit in season!

Like this Winter version? Also try my go-to classic fruit salad recipe filled with summer fruit.

Winter Fruit Salad Recipe

Typically we think of fruit salads as a summer side dish but there's still an abundance of fruit in season during winter so why not take advantage of that and make a healthy winter fruit salad?

I first shared this recipe eight years ago and we've made it several times each year since. It's so good it almost passes as a tempting dessert!

This is a great dish to add to a holiday menu because there are often lots of heavy sides served but this is a light, refreshing and nutritious option to help balance those out a bit.

You'll find this inviting fruit salad is so easy to make and it adds so much festive natural color to your table.

Just keep in mind the most important thing about a fruit salad is the quality of the fruit. You want the fruit to have a sweet ripe flavor and firm enough texture that it won't get mushy.

From there the honey and lemon will just balance and highlight all of it's natural, fresh fruity goodness.

Strawberry Spinach Green Smoothie

Jaclyn — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 22:08:32 +0000

The easiest strawberry spinach green smoothie! Made with flavorful strawberries, bright mandarin oranges, nutritious baby spinach and sweet bananas. It's a smoothie recipe you'll have on repeat!

A Green Smoothie That Tastes Great!

Well, the holidays were fun and worth every calorie but now back to real life. The life where we aren't living on cheesy dips, cookies after every meal, dessert before dinner, chocolate around every turn and pie for days.

This smoothie is a great start to a healthy diet for the new year! It's the perfect way to pack in some fruits and veggies into your diet and it actually does taste delicious.

This isn't one of those healthy green smoothies that you just have to pinch your nose and choke down. This is one of my favorite green smoothies and I like that it's not packed with calories.

My daughter who normally hates spinach loves this Strawberry Spinach Smoothie so that's proof they really are good! Healthy eating can be enjoyable.

Apple Mandarin Orange Pear and Feta Spinach Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

Jaclyn — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 06:01:36 +0000

Apple Mandarin Orange Pear and Feta Spinach Salad is the ultimate fall salad! It has delicious fresh flavors, beautiful colors and when finished with this Orange Poppy Seed Dressing no one can resist. It's sure to be one of your fall favorites!

A Delicious Autumn Spinach Salad

I knew from the beginning though that I would love it because I used my super delicious, super popular Orange Poppy Seed Dressing from my Cranberry Avocado Chicken and Spinach Salad.

The flavors, the colors, the textures, the sweet, the salty, the tang it's all spot on perfect in my opinion.

You get those tender spinach leaves laden with crisp sweet apples, bright tangy oranges and those soft and juicy mellow pears.

Then you add toasted crunchy pecans and salty feta to that blend and finally finish it all off with the most irresistible Orange Poppy Seed Dressing!

White Chocolate and Chocolate Dipped Mandarin Oranges

Jaclyn — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 06:17:40 +0000

White Chocolate and Chocolate Dipped Mandarin Oranges are the perfect last minute treat for a party or gift! They are so easy to make, they only require TWO ingredients (plus sprinkles or salt if desired), and people of all ages love them!

Chocolate Dipped Oranges

I've already made these three times in the last three weeks, my family absolutely loves these and I love that they are quick treat!

Believe it or not my mom who is crazy about dark chocolate actually liked the white chocolate ones better so be sure that you try both versions at one point or another.

One thing I love about these is that the chocolate ones taste like those chocolate oranges you buy during the holidays - but so much better. And the white ones taste like a an orange creamsicle - but again, even better.

I mean once you start popping these things it's hard to stop. But they are like 66% fruit so that makes them about 66% healthy right :)?

Really though these are a better choice than the towers of cookies everywhere. But don't turn down the cookies this time of year, it happens once a year so enjoy the towers of cookies everywhere!

Try these soon, while the best mandarins are in season!

Tips for This Recipe

One important thing to note is that these should be served right away, as I listed in the recipe. The reason being is because the oranges may start to dry out - or maybe that's just me because I'm in a dry climate.

But I think that's pretty common for citrus in general in any climate.

You can lightly brush the un-dipped portion with a little water but it's a tedious task so I recommend that you just dip in chocolate about 10 minutes before you plan on serving them.

More Chocolate Dipped Recipes You'll Love!

White Chocolate and Chocolate Dipped Mandarin Oranges

These sweet and tangy chocolate covered oranges slices are the perfect last minute treat for a party or gift! They are so easy to make, they only require TWO ingredients (plus sprinkles or salt if desired), and people of all ages love them!

4 oz dark chocolate or milk chocolate (, chopped)
4 oz white chocolate (, chopped)
6 - 7 large mandarin oranges (, peeled and segmented (about 1 1/2 lbs)*)
Coarse or flaked sea salt ((optional))
Multi-color sprinkles ((optional))

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring well between intervals until melted and smooth.
Dip half of the mandarin orange slices in white chocolate, dipping halfway, then lift and and let excess run off. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with sprinkles if desired before white chocolate starts to set.
Place dark chocolate in a separate microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring well between intervals until melted and smooth.
Dip remaining half of the mandarin oranges in chocolate, dipping halfway, then lift and let excess run off. Transfer to lined baking sheet, sprinkle lightly with sea salt if desired.
Transfer baking sheets to refrigerator and chill just until chocolate has set, about 5 - 10 minutes. Serve immediately for best results.

*I recommend using larger mandarins if you can find them, sometimes the Cuties are bigger than other brands. If using the itty bitty ones you'll probably need twice as many.
Serve immediately for best results as the oranges tend to dry out once peeled.

Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Jaclyn — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 05:00:05 +0000

Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad is a festive colorful fruit-filled salad that's perfect for holidays and parties! Spinach is layered with oranges, pomegranate arils, and avocado, and topped with a creamy poppy seed dressing. Take this as your Thanksgiving side salad and don't be surprised if it outshines the turkey!

Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad

Those pretty fall/winter colors though! I love salads like this that are beautifully colorful and taste amazing. This vibrant dish will stand out on your Thanksgiving menu or Christmas dinner buffet.

This Mandarin Pomegranate and Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a great way to take advantage of the produce in season right now and it's just bursting with so much juicy freshness in every bite.

It is a perfect side dish to your favorite autumn meals and it would definitely be the hit of any get-together (it's like my Strawberry Spinach Salad that's always the first to go, but with seasonal produce).

This recipe is scaled for a single-family side salad, so if you're going to make it for a Thanksgiving dinner salad I would recommend doubling the recipe.

I spotted the first good pomegranates of the season a few weeks ago and I've been hooked ever since. Even though I already miss all of the fresh summer berries, I'm so glad there are still apples, pears, pomegranates, and oranges to look forward to this time of year. And they make such a delicious salad!

Preparing a Pomegranate for a Salad

It wasn't until later in life that I tried pomegranates for the first time and at first, I thought they were such a pain to seed.

My brother has a pomegranate tree in his backyard, and he showed me the most efficient way to get all those juicy little arils out by slicing, scoring, and tapping them out—but it still seemed somewhat complicated. So I still just do it the old-fashioned way by cutting in half, then kind of tearing the halves to sort of expose them more so I can pick them out in clumps.

Whatever works best for you right? I'll have to have my brother show me again though because his way was faster than mine. I've also heard people like this water method for seeding pomegranate.

Even if it took 30 minutes to get those arils out (don't worry—it doesn't!) it would be worth it for this salad. This is definitely a delicious and healthy salad I'll make again and again, especially as we near the holidays.

I love the pairing of mandarin oranges, pomegranates, and the two types of nuts in this salad. The balance of the creamy poppy seed dressing and avocados pulls the sweet and tangy together.

Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad Variations

This salad is best in the fall and winter when this produce is in season, but I guarantee you can enjoy it year-round. Here are some variations you could try:

Add chicken or shredded turkey for additional protein
Add goat cheese or feta if you love a crumbly cheese with your salads
Try craisins or dried cherries if you can't get your hands on fresh pomegranates
Use candied walnuts or make your own to add more sweetness

More Salad Recipes You'll Love!

Mandarin Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A festive colorful fruit filled salad that's perfect for holidays and parties! Spinach is layered oranges, pomegranate arils, avocado and topped with a creamy poppy seed dressing.

Salad

5 oz baby spinach
3 mandarin oranges (10 oz), (peeled and segmented)
3/4 cup pomegranate arils*
1 medium avocado, (diced)
1/4 cup sliced almonds, (toasted)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Dressing

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup light mayonnaise ((tested with Hellman's light))
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 Tbsp milk, (if needed)

For the dressing: In a small mixing bowl whisk together vinegar, sugar and salt until sugar and salt have dissolved.
Add mayonnaise, honey and poppy seeds and whisk until combined. Mix in milk to thin if desired. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
For the salad: In a salad bowl layer spinach, mandarine oranges, pomegranate arils, avocado, almonds and walnuts.
Pour desired amount of dressing over top (or alternately just dress each serving). Serve immediately.

*If you want to make this in the summer it's also good with a small pkg. of fresh raspberries in place of the pomegranate arils.

Salad

American

Orange Salad, Spinach Salad

Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad with Chicken and Lemon Honey Ginger Dressing

Jaclyn — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 03:43:04 +0000

This Mandarin Orange Salad is a must try recipe! It’s layered with tender spinach, protein-rich chicken, colorful Asian veggies, sweet mandarin oranges, crisp sliced almonds and deliciously seasoned wonton strips. The Best Mandarin Orange Salad! This is the best Asian mandarin orange salad you’ll ever have! So much goodness and flavor in one salad. Salads […]