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Are there certain foods that just seem to make you happy?
You know the ones... they often evoke pleasant memories or perhaps bring to mind a special person who lovingly prepared them.
Some might immediately think of chocolate while others find just the thought of caramel makes them smile. Perhaps it's some special treat that your mama or a favorite aunt used to make.
It doesn't have to be something sweet though, actually for me, it's just the opposite...
It's fresh fruit and veggies of varied hue and assortment that thrill me. Maybe it's because they were somewhat rare and quite expensive when I was growing up in the northern United States. My grandmother planted a big garden each year, providing us with great produce in the summer months. The rest of the year... not so much. We were raised on lots of canned vegetables and fresh fruit was, for the most part, reserved for special occasions.
Each year, part of the loot in our Christmas stockings, was oranges and tangerines. We were as delighted with them as we were with the hard candy, the bright, foil-wrapped chocolate Santas and the traditional candy canes. We hoarded the sweet citrus fruit carefully, making them last as long as possible.
It's funny because to this day, my first intoxicating whiff of fresh oranges in the cold months brings back a zillion pleasant memories. And when I'm shopping and see mounded displays of big juicy oranges or little wooden boxes of clementines stacked high, it always brings a smile to my face.
So I'm calling this Orange and Avocado Salad with Peanut Hoisin dressing my, "happy salad". It's bright, fresh and super healthy and, after all the rich, sweet, heavy holiday food, it's the perfect way to get back on track.
Oranges and avocados are, to me, a match made in heaven. The sweet vibrant citrus flavor is a wonderful complement to the creamy, mild, almost buttery avocado. Combined with a peppery, zesty green like arugula, a handful of thinly sliced red onions and a scatter of salty peanuts, this salad is pretty as a picture, and loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Then there's the delicious peanut-hoisin dressing, which ties everything together and will have you craving this salad again and again. It's super simple to throw (literally) together as everything - peanut butter, hoisin sauce, garlic, fresh ginger, lime juice, honey soy sauce, Sriracha, canola oil and fresh basil - are simply added to a blender container and whizzed up, till silky smooth. It took me six tries to get this dressing just right, but I think it's perfect now.
Give this wonderful, beautiful, flavorful winter salad a try. I think you'll see smiles around your dinner table, and who knows, you might even notice a few little happy dances going on because, after the holiday indulgences, you're once again, treating your bodies so kindly!
P.S. The dressing is also wonderful drizzled on grilled chicken, pork or seafood or as a dip for fresh veggies.
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- For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped or grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoon water add more if too thick
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 8 medium fresh basil leaves
- For the salad:
- 8 cups arugula
- 2 large oranges peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 large avocados peeled and cored
- ½ medium red onion thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup salted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
- Peanut Hoisin Dressing
-
Combine all dressing ingredients, except the basil, in a blender container. Mix on low for 10 seconds, then increase speed to medium high and blend for 1 minute or until smooth. Add basil and pulse a few times till basil is finely chopped.
-
For the salad, place lettuce in a large serving bowl. Add oranges, avocados and red onion. Toss lightly then drizzle with some of the dressing and sprinkle peanuts over the top. Pass extra dressing at the table.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love this salad, Chris! What a great fresh start for the new year. Chinese chicken salad is in the menu plan for this weekend and I'm going to have to make your dressing to go with!
Juliana says
Happy New Year Chris...this dressing sounds delicious...peanut butter and hoisin...touch of heat, I love it! Beautiful salad!
Have a great week ahead 🙂
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
I would say this is a PERFECT way to start the new year! I love it!!
Sharon says
I can almost taste it through my computer screen! I love this mixture in salads and will be trying this one very soon!
Thanks, for the craving;-)
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a nice salad…I like everything about it. It sounds like we had similar experiences growing up. My stocking had oranges, walnuts and hard candies…the pretty ribbon kind. 🙂
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Chris, there's nothing like fresh citrus in a salad. As I've said before, you are a master with fresh salads and homemade dressings! Plus, Scott makes them look so enticing, I want to run into the kitchen to whisk some up right now! I just love that back-lit shot of "the pour". Bravo!
roberta says
Happy New Year, Chris.
I had 35 people in my home last night to celebrate the New Year and my 75th birthday. It was a lot of fun and I decided to try your candied bacon wrapped pineapple. The flavor was amazing but I don't know what I did wrong. After baked they all fell apart even with toothpicks in them. Please advise as to what I may have done wrong. I'd like t o make them again.
Thanks, love all your recipes and your site.
Roberta
Kathy says
I experienced the same problem after baking. They fell apart but were still very tasty. I also had difficulty getting the brown sugar to adhere to the bacon. They were certainly not as pretty as in the photos!
The sauce was very good.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Kathy, you do have to pat the brown sugar on a bit to get it to adhere. Did you use thick cut bacon? I've found it doesn't work as well with thinner bacon.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Roberta, Happy birthday, what a fun way to bring in the new year. The only thing I can think of that might have been the problem was the bacon. Was it thick cut bacon? I use the Costco applewood bacon which is nice and thick and holds up well.
Lynn says
I'll bet it's very flavorful with the dressing:@)
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
A wonderfully delicious salad, Chris. That dressing is unbeatable.
lenia says
Great sauce, amazing salad! Love it!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I didn't think you could come up with a 'perfecter' dressing than the ones you've already shared but superlatives aside, I think this will be my all-time favorite.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, you're so kind Maureen!
Vicki v says
All the flavors I love! I'll be trying this for sure.
Karen says
My mouth is watering... I am overdone on sweets at this point!
Ginny Hartzler says
What wonderful memories! Yes, the oranges and clementines have such a wonderful smell! This looks bright, fresh, and must smell out of this world!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I feel healthier and happier just looking at this salad! the peanut butter in the dressing has got me so intrigued!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Sue, it's perfect for this time of the year!
barb bowen says
Lovely sounding salad!! I want to wish you and all your family a wonderful year in 2015! Happy days!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Barb!