Mandarin almond salad
This Mandarin almond salad is a vibrant blend of sweet mandarins, crunchy almonds, and crisp romaine, all brought together with a zesty homemade dressing. It's an easy Mandarin almond salad recipe that's perfect for potlucks or any gathering, delivering a healthy salad with mandarin oranges that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried, and chopped
- 2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the salad: In a large bowl, toss romaine lettuce, mandarin oranges, and green onions until evenly mixed. Set aside.
- Make the sugared almonds: Heat 2 tablespoons of sugar with the sliced almonds in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and coats the almonds, turning them a light golden brown. Quickly transfer them to a plate to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Whisk the dressing: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, 1 tablespoon of sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of ground black pepper. Shake vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Assemble and serve: Toss the lettuce mixture with the dressing just before serving to prevent wilting. Top with the cooled sugared almonds for the final crunchy touch.
Notes
This salad is best served immediately. The dressing can make the lettuce limp if it sits too long.