Description
A vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean orange salad featuring sweet Navel oranges, fresh mint, and crunchy pomegranate seeds, tossed in a honey-lime dressing infused with orange blossom water. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish.
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 red onions in a bowl of ice water and let them soak for 10 minutes to mellow their sharpness. Remove the onions from the water and dry them thoroughly using paper towels or a clean kitchen 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 the dressing aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Platter: Arrange half of the chopped fresh mint leaves spread evenly on a serving platter. Layer the orange slices and softened onions over the mint. Sprinkle a pinch each of kosher salt, sweet paprika, and ground cinnamon evenly over the oranges and onions. Scatter the pomegranate seeds on top.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle or spoon the prepared dressing over the salad to taste, then garnish with the remaining fresh mint leaves. Let the salad rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to 1 hour before serving for a cooler dish.
- Use sweet Navel oranges for their natural sweetness which balances the tartness of lime and pomegranate.
- Orange blossom water is optional but adds a lovely floral aroma; omit if unavailable.
- For additional crunch, sprinkle toasted nuts such as pistachios or almonds on top.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing for sweeter or more tart flavor according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 149 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 12 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
