Winter citrus salad is a delightful blend of vibrant flavors perfect for the season. This recipe is a brilliant celebration of winter fruits paired with the earthy crunch of farro and fennel, all tied together with a honey tarragon dressing. It's a light, refreshing, and heartwarming dish that can brighten up any chilly day.
This recipe calls for specific types of citrus fruits like blood oranges and cara cara oranges, and a grain called farro. Blood oranges are a variety of oranges with a crimson, almost blood-colored flesh. Cara cara oranges are a type of navel orange, distinguished by pinkish-red and orange flesh. Farro is a whole grain that's an excellent source of protein, fiber and nutrients like magnesium and iron. You might need to check a well-stocked grocery store or a health food store for the farro and those specific citrus fruits.
Ingredients for Winter Citrus Salad
Fennel bulb: A vegetable with a unique licorice-like flavor and a crunchy texture.
Blood oranges: A variety of oranges with a deep red flesh and a taste that's a little bit tart, a little bit sweet.
Cara oranges: A type of navel orange with sweet, low-acid flavor and pinkish-red color inside.
Grapefruit: A large citrus fruit known for its slightly bitter and sour taste.
Fresh mint: An herb with a fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste.
Kosher salt: A variety of coarse salt that's usually free of additives.
Olive oil: A staple in Mediterranean cuisine, used for its rich, fruity flavor.
Farro: An ancient grain that has a nutty flavor and a chewy texture.
Pistachio: A type of nut with a rich and slightly sweet flavor.
Lemon juice: Adds a bright, acidic flavor to dishes.
Honey: A natural sweetener with a thick, syrupy consistency.
Tarragon: An herb with a subtly sweet, anise-like flavor.
One reader, Evonne Whittington says:
This winter citrus salad recipe is a burst of freshness! The combination of blood oranges, cara oranges, and grapefruit with the fennel and mint is simply delightful. The honey tarragon dressing adds a perfect touch of sweetness. It's a refreshing and healthy dish that's perfect for any winter day!
Key Techniques for Making Winter Citrus Salad
How to segment citrus fruits: Carefully cut off the top and bottom of the citrus fruit so it sits flat on the cutting board. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the peel and pith in downward strips around the fruit, removing as little fruit as possible. Finally, carefully cut between the membranes to remove the segments.
How to make honey tarragon dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, salt, and tarragon. Then, add the olive oil a bit at a time, whisking until fully incorporated. Set aside for later use.
How to cook farro: Heat a bit of olive oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the farro and toast until just slightly golden brown. Then, pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until the farro is tender and has absorbed the water.
How to toast pistachios: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the pistachios until slightly brown and aromatic. Be sure to watch them closely to prevent burning.
How To Make Winter Citrus Salad
Here’s a winter citrus salad recipe made with thinly sliced fennel bulb, Cara Cara, and blood oranges with grapefruit topped with honey tarragon dressing.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1small fennel bulb
- 3blood oranges
- 3cara oranges
- 1grapefruit
- 1tbspfresh mint,torn
- kosher salt,to taste
- olive oil,to taste
- ½cupfarro,uncooked, rinsed
- 1½cupswater
- ¼cuppistachio
For the Honey Tarragon Dressing:
- 2tbsplemon juice
- 1tbsphoney
- ½tspkosher salt
- 1tbspfresh tarragon,finely chopped
- ¼cupolive oil
Instructions
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Trim the fronds and stalks off of the fennel bulb. Cut the bulb in half crosswise, remove the core, then thinly slice. Add the sliced fennel to a medium bowl and set aside.
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Slice off the top and bottom of a blood orange so it sits flat on your cutting board. Carefully cut off the peel and pith in downward strips around the orange, removing as little fruit as possible.
-
Carefully cut between the membranes to remove the segments. Repeat with the rest of the blood oranges, the Cara Cara oranges, and the grapefruit.
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Add the citrus segments to the bowl with the fennel, along with the mint. Season with salt and toss to combine. Set aside while you make the dressing and farro.
Make the dressing:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey, salt, and tarragon. Add the olive oil, a bit at a time, and whisk until fully incorporated. Set aside.
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Heat a bit of olive oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the farro and toast until just slightly golden brown. Pour in the water and bring to a boil.
-
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until the farro is tender and has absorbed the water.
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Add 2 tablespoons of the honey tarragon dressing to the warm farro and toss well.
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In a small pan over medium heat, toast the pistachios until slightly brown and aromatic.
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Divide the citrus fennel mixture between serving bowls and top with the farro and pistachios. Add more dressing to taste, if desired.
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 435.30kcal
- Fat: 24.05g
- Saturated Fat: 3.31g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 16.30g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.56g
- Carbohydrates: 53.92g
- Fiber: 10.02g
- Sugar: 30.99g
- Protein: 7.76g
- Sodium: 1051.55mg
- Calcium: 135.34mg
- Potassium: 824.21mg
- Iron: 2.34mg
- Vitamin A: 49.67µg
- Vitamin C: 133.36mg
Pro Tip for Elevating Your Winter Citrus Salad
When slicing the citrus for your salad, it's important to have a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts. Dull knives can cause the fruit to tear or juice to be lost. Also, when removing the segments, try to do so over the bowl you'll be using for the salad. This way, any juice that escapes will be caught in the bowl and add extra flavor to your salad.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Winter Citrus Salad
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare the fennel, citrus, and mint in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
Multi-task: While the farro is cooking, prepare the citrus and dressing to maximize efficiency in the kitchen.
Use a citrus peeler: Invest in a citrus peeler to easily remove the peel and pith from the oranges and grapefruit, saving time and effort.
Batch cooking: Cook a larger batch of farro and store the extra in the fridge for future use in salads or other dishes.
Organize ingredients: Before starting, gather all the ingredients and kitchen tools needed for the recipe to streamline the cooking process.
Efficient slicing: Use a sharp knife and proper slicing techniques to quickly and evenly segment the citrus fruits.
Quick toasting: Toast the pistachios and farro simultaneously to expedite the cooking process.
Dress ahead: Prepare the honey tarragon dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for a quick and easy addition to the salad.
Substitute Ingredients For Winter Citrus Salad Recipe
- fennel bulb - Substitute with celery: Celery has a similar crunchy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that can work as a substitute for fennel in salads.
- blood oranges - Substitute with navel oranges: Navel oranges are sweet and juicy, making them a suitable substitute for blood oranges in the salad.
- cara oranges - Substitute with mandarin oranges: Mandarin oranges have a similar sweet and tangy flavor, making them a good substitute for cara oranges in the salad.
- grapefruit - Substitute with pomelo: Pomelo has a similar citrusy flavor and can be used as a substitute for grapefruit in the salad.
- fresh mint - Substitute with fresh basil: Fresh basil can add a refreshing and aromatic flavor similar to mint in the salad.
- farro - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa has a similar nutty flavor and chewy texture, making it a good substitute for farro in the salad.
- pistachio - Substitute with almonds: Almonds can provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor as pistachios in the salad.
- lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice can add a tangy and citrusy flavor similar to lemon juice in the dressing.
- honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can provide a sweet flavor similar to honey in the dressing.
- tarragon - Substitute with dill: Dill can add a fresh and slightly sweet herbaceous flavor similar to tarragon in the dressing.
Presentation Tips for a Stunning Winter Citrus Salad
Elevate the citrus segments: Arrange the blood oranges, cara oranges, and grapefruit segments in an artful and visually appealing manner on the plate, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Incorporate fennel fronds: Garnish the dish with delicate fennel fronds to add a pop of vibrant green color and a hint of herbal aroma, enhancing the overall presentation.
Create a farro bed: Arrange the farro in a neat, compact bed at the base of the plate, providing a sturdy foundation for the citrus and adding a rustic touch to the presentation.
Drizzle the honey tarragon dressing: Carefully drizzle the honey tarragon dressing in a circular motion around the citrus and farro, ensuring an even distribution and adding a touch of elegance to the dish.
Sprinkle with toasted pistachios: Sprinkle the toasted pistachios over the citrus and farro, adding a delightful crunch and a contrasting color to the dish for a visually appealing finish.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves: Place a few fresh mint leaves strategically on the plate to add a burst of color and a refreshing aroma, elevating the overall visual appeal of the dish.
Essential Tools for Crafting the Perfect Citrus Salad
- Cutting board: A flat surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Knife: Used for slicing, dicing, and chopping ingredients.
- Medium bowl: Used for mixing ingredients and tossing salads.
- Whisk: Used for blending and mixing ingredients together.
- Small pot: Used for cooking farro and other grains.
- Citrus juicer: Used for extracting juice from citrus fruits.
- Pan: Used for toasting pistachios and other nuts.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Used for accurately measuring ingredients.
- Serving bowls: Used for serving the citrus salad.
Surprising Fact About Winter Citrus Salads
The Winter Citrus Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that combines the vibrant flavors of blood oranges, cara oranges, and grapefruit with the unique crunch of fennel and the nuttiness of farro and pistachios. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with vitamin C and fiber, making it a perfect choice for a healthy winter meal. It's a great way to enjoy seasonal citrus fruits and add a burst of color to your table during the colder months. Plus, the combination of citrus and fennel provides a unique and delightful flavor profile that is sure to impress your taste buds.
Is Making Winter Citrus Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this winter citrus salad recipe is quite high. The ingredients, such as fennel, oranges, grapefruit, and farro, are generally affordable and widely available. The use of seasonal produce also adds to its cost-effectiveness. As a culinary chef, I rate this recipe a solid 9. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15-$20, making it a budget-friendly and nutritious option for a family meal.
Is This Citrus Salad Healthy?
This winter citrus salad recipe is generally healthy, offering a variety of nutritious ingredients:
- Fennel provides fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants
- Citrus fruits (blood oranges, cara oranges, and grapefruit) are rich in vitamin C, folate, and potassium
- Mint adds freshness and contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
- Farro is a whole grain that offers fiber, protein, and minerals like magnesium and zinc
- Pistachios provide healthy fats, protein, and fiber
- The honey tarragon dressing uses heart-healthy olive oil and honey as a natural sweetener
The recipe is low in saturated fat and contains no added sugars or processed ingredients.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this salad, consider the following suggestions:
- Increase the portion of fennel and citrus fruits to boost the fiber and vitamin content
- Add a handful of leafy greens, such as baby spinach or arugula, for extra nutrients and volume
- Swap the honey in the dressing for a low-glycemic alternative like monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce the sugar content
- Include a lean protein source, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, to make the salad more satiating and balanced
- Experiment with other whole grains like quinoa or bulgur wheat for variety and additional nutrients
- Sprinkle some chia seeds or ground flaxseed over the salad for a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber
Editor's Take: My Honest Opinion on This Citrus Salad Recipe
The combination of vibrant citrus, crunchy fennel, and nutty farro in this winter salad creates a delightful harmony of flavors and textures. The honey tarragon dressing adds a perfect balance of sweetness and herbaceousness, enhancing the overall appeal of the dish. The use of seasonal ingredients and the thoughtful preparation of each component showcase a sophisticated approach to salad-making. This recipe is a wonderful representation of how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create a stunning and delicious dish.
Enhance Your Winter Citrus Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for a Winter Citrus Salad
Why trust this Winter Citrus Salad Recipe:
This vibrant winter citrus salad recipe features fresh blood oranges, cara oranges, and grapefruit for a burst of seasonal flavor. The addition of fennel adds a delightful crunch, while the farro provides a hearty and wholesome element. The honey tarragon dressing ties everything together with its sweet and herbaceous notes. Trust in the quality of this recipe, as it showcases a harmonious blend of fresh ingredients and a well-balanced combination of flavors and textures.
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