Description
A bright and refreshing Mediterranean orange salad featuring sweet Navel oranges, tangy pomegranate seeds, fresh mint, and a honey-lime dressing infused with orange blossom water. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish to complement any meal.
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 onion in a bowl of ice water and let it soak for 10 minutes. Drain and dry the onions completely to reduce sharpness and add crispness.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and optional orange blossom water until well combined. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the serving platter: Spread half of the chopped mint leaves evenly on the platter. Arrange the orange slices and softened onions atop the mint. Sprinkle a pinch each of kosher salt, sweet paprika, and ground cinnamon over the layered ingredients. Scatter the pomegranate seeds evenly on top.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad according to taste. Finish by sprinkling the remaining fresh mint leaves for garnish. Let the salad rest for 5 minutes to enhance flavor before serving.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.
- The orange blossom water is optional but adds a lovely floral note if available.
- To soften the onion quickly, soaking in ice water reduces pungency and adds crunch.
- Use ripe sweet Navel oranges for best flavor contrast with the tart lime and pomegranate.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Adjust the dressing quantity to taste to keep the salad light and fresh.
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
