Winter Salad with Clementine Dressing and Vanilla Bean Candied Walnuts
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Winter salads don’t have to be boring — this one is spectacular thanks to vanilla bean candied walnuts and bright citrusy clementine dressing.
I’ve been on a huge salad kick lately. Mostly because I can actually stomach them again, something I couldn’t really do while I was pregnant.
I couldn’t really stomach anything besides popcorn and ice cream while I was pregnant. Which brings me to reason #2 why I’ve been eating a lot of salads: baby weight.
It needs to go. ASAP.
I coined the phrase “A salad a day keeps the love handles away.” Actually I have no idea if that phrase is original–someone else could have said that already but I’m living it.
Except in my case, it should read, “A salad a day makes the love handles go away. Pretty please. No really, I’m begging.”
This winter salad with clementine dressing utilizes those wonderful clementines that are everywhere this time of the year. We go through them like craaaazy. I love this clementine vanilla smoothie. I’m trying to trick my brain into thinking clementines are really candy.
Speaking of candy, you know what pairs perfectly with those tasty tart clementines? Vanilla bean candied walnuts. I just had to add the to this salad. The candied walnuts are…pretty much like candy. Minor details. It’s still a salad. Better than ice cream.
Enjoy this salad with clementine dressing as a side or as a really great lunch, which is what I have been doing. It rings all the bells: crunchy, sweet, tangy, everything a salad should have.
The clementine dressing is easy to make. It’s a simple vinaigrette combining clementine juice, honey, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. To make this salad vegan-friendly, use agave nectar or maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.
I like to add parsley because I love the freshness that herbs give a salad. You can add a different herb if you like, or leave the herbs off. Feel free to use whatever green you like best, too. Use what’s available.
To make this salad vegan-friendly, use agave nectar or maple syrup instead of the honey in the dressing.
For a really, really special salad, add goat cheese. Gorgonzola or blue cheese would be so wonderful, too.
Craving salads?
Like I said, I’ve been on a salad kick. Here’s more great salad recipes:
- Kale and Pear Salad with yogurt dressing
- Fattoush Salad – a Middle Eastern salad
- Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
- Kale Sweet Potato Salad with quinoa, and creamy chili lime dressing
- Broccoli Salad – traditional, with a healthier dressing
- Moroccan Carrot Noodle Salad with chickpeas and walnuts
- Black Bean Salad with Jicama, Tomatoes, Cilantro and Lime from Kalyn’s Kitchen
- Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Artichokes and Asparagus from Food for My Family
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup clementine juice (from about 2 clementines)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 head of red leaf lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
- ½ cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 3 clementines, peeled, segments separated and cut in half
- ½ cup [vanilla bean candied walnuts]
- dressing to taste (there may be extra)
Instructions
For the Dressing:
- Mix all ingredients together in a jar (shake shake shake!) or a small bowl (whisk whisk whisk!)
For the Salad:
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
- Add dressing and toss immediately before serving.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Husband’s take: I’m not sure he’s had a chance to try this. It’s one of my favorite lunch recipes so he misses out.
Changes I would make: None are necessary, but the great thing about salads is that you can customize them with whatever you have in the house. Sub cherries for cranberries, use plain toasted walnuts instead of the candied. Not that I really recommend that, but it would make it a bit healthier. Use spinach instead of lettuce…do your own thing!
Difficulty: So easy.
Jenny @ BAKE says
I love that phrase! that’s going to have to be my summer motto! this salad looks really delicious!
Kathryn says
What a lovely salad – I love how bright and fresh it is!
angela @ another bite please says
you had me at Clementine…love how fresh this looks but sounds so perfect for a winter salad…baby love handles…i feel your pain.
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife says
What a gorgeous salad and those candied walnuts sound divine!
Rachael says
Pretty salad, Rachel!
Kathy - Panini Happy says
I love candied nuts in salads…this one sounds like a winner to me!
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Kathy! I love candied nuts too, they are like candy.
Sheila says
Oh how i love salad…but I rarely make them. Why I’m not sure. This one looks fabulous!
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Sheila!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
ah yum, I love clementines! I really wish I could be on a salad kick..I want to be, my body doesn’t! But it would truly help with your mantra..”A salad a day, keeps the love handles away!” haha It’s so much harder to actually lose the baby weight than to just say Im going to!
Rachel Gurk says
Doesn’t it seem like it was way easier with the first kid?
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats says
SO much easier! I feel like its stuck this time! haha
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
Love everything about this salad, especially those candied walnuts!
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Jessica!
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
I’m going in!
Rachel Gurk says
I’ll spot ya!
Bree {Skinny Mommy} says
I love your coined phrase–too funny!
Rachel Gurk says
I seem to remember the baby weight leaving faster last time but that’s probably just time making my memories look a little better… ;)
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
I love a good salad and I love that you used clementine juice in the vinaigrette! Sooo yummy :)
Rachel Gurk says
We’ve been eating clementines like it is going out of style.
Gerry @ foodness gracious says
Awesome looking salad, I’m also trying to eat more salad but its sooo hard when there’s so many distractions out there :) good luck!
Rachel Gurk says
Haha, for sure. But the candied walnuts make salads a bit more exciting :)
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
I am hardcore craving EVERYTHING about this salad — especially those candied walnuts! So much YUM.
Rachel Gurk says
The walnuts are key to the success of this salad. ;)
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
We have been on a big salad kick too. I’m trying these candied walnuts ASAP!
Rachel Gurk says
You HAVE to! They are so good. :)