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mandarin orange strawberry spinach salad

(21 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Marie Guaragna
Arlington, VA

This is a true crowd-pleaser!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

What a treat for the senses this salad is. It's fabulous to serve on just about any occasion from Sunday brunch to a holiday meal. There is just something classic about the flavors of fresh spinach and strawberries. Add in mandarin oranges and you have a yummy salad. Celery, parsley, and green onions add a bit of crunch and a slight onion flavor. We loved the candied almonds on top. The homemade vinaigrette is light and perfect to dress the salad with.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(21 ratings)
yield 6 serving(s)
prep time 25 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For mandarin orange strawberry spinach salad

  • SALAD
  • 1 c
    chopped celery
  • 1 Tbsp
    minced fresh parsley
  • 2 sprig
    spring onions, chopped including tops
  • 1 bag
    fresh spinach (10 oz ready to eat in a bag)
  • 11 oz
    mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1 c
    fresh sliced strawberries
  • DRESSING
  • 1/4 c
    salad oil
  • 2 Tbsp
    raspberry vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp
    sugar
  • 1 pinch
    black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • GARNISH
  • 2 Tbsp
    sugar
  • 1/4 c
    sliced almonds

How To Make mandarin orange strawberry spinach salad

Test Kitchen Tips
Raspberry vinegar can be hard to find. If you need a substitute, red wine vinegar would work (the flavor will be slightly different). Salad oil is an oil with a light taste like vegetable or canola oil.
  • Celery, parsley, and onions combined in a bowl.
    1
    Mix celery, parsley, and onions. Refrigerate.
  • Draining mandarin oranges.
    2
    Drain mandarin oranges and put them in the refrigerator. (You can keep some of the juice to add to the dressing also if you wish.)
  • Sliced strawberries in a bowl.
    3
    Wash and dry strawberries. Slice and refrigerate.
  • Whisking vinaigrette ingredients together.
    4
    DRESSING: Mix ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate. (The dressing will keep for several days.) Shake well before adding to the salad.
  • Toasting almonds in sugar.
    5
    GARNISH: To caramelize almonds, put sugar and almonds in a frying pan on medium heat and stir constantly until almonds are lightly browned. Place them on a piece of wax paper to cool.
  • Spinach in a bowl with mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries, and almonds.
    6
    SERVE: Place spinach in a bowl. Add the celery mixture, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and almonds. and dressing. Toss and Serve!
  • Drizzling dressing over the salad.
    7
    Place salad on a plate and drizzle with dressing.
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