Citrus Beet and Avocado Salad

 

Image Credit: Chelsea's Messy Apron

My sister and I made this recipe together.  So now every time I make it I think of her!  I love that about cooking.  It rekindles memories and reminds us of friendships and family.  

This salad is so beautiful and delicious.  It is a nice and creative switch up to your typical salad.  If you can't find all of the different kinds of oranges, just use 1-2 kinds.

Orange Vinaigrette Dressing:

2 TBS fresh navel orange juice + 1 tsp zest

1 tsp dijon mustard

2 TBS honey

2 TBS apple cider vinegar

2 TBS olive oil

salt/pepper

Salad:

4 beets

2 naval oranges

2 tangelos

2 cara cara oranges

2 blood oranges

2 avocados

1/3 c. goat or feta cheese

1/3 c. coarsely chopped lightly salted pistachios

Optional-but highly recommend!: fresh mint or basil

Winter Orange Party Favor

A simple, colorful, and healthy party favor!  Wrap small or large oranges with tissue.  Customize to party theme by color of tissue, ribbon, and attached tag.

Fruit Fish

This picture was on the front of a Target mailer I received.  I thought this was a cute fruit creation...when you have the extra time and need for a creative outlet :)

Orange Sweet Potato Puree

4 medium Sweet Potoates
1/4 c. cream
1/2 tsp salt (more to taste)
zest and juice from 1 large orange
1 TBS brown sugar (optional)

-Wash sweet potatoes.  Cut into fourths, place in large soup pan, cover with water, and bring to boil.  Boil for 25 minutes until potatoes tender. Drain water. When cooled, remove skins and combine potatoes with all other ingredients.  Using a hand-held mixer, whip puree until smooth an creamy.  Add additional salt to taste.
-Note: in place of the brown sugar, you can substitute a pinch of cayenne and some freshly ground pepper.

Sugarless Wassail

Wassail season again! I don't really like most wassail recipes since they seem to make me more thirsty and I can feel the sugar coating my throat...So here is a quick, delicious, and healthier wassail recipe with no added sugar. Serves 6

Warm In large Soup Pot:
1/2 gallon apple juice (minus 2 cups)
2 cups apple juice (Simmer 2 TBS mulling spices with juice for about 15-20 minutes, strain out the spices, and add to apple juice)
2-3 fresh oranges, freshly squeezed

Heat, serve in your favorite mug and enjoy! Note: You can reuse the milling spices for another batch :-)

Chinese Chicken Salad

Another great salad recipe---one of the few of mine that doesn't have cheese! This recipe is from my sister-in-law Jenny, and I think of her every time I make it. You don't have to use all of the toppings, they are merely suggestions for what goes well with the dressing.

Lettuce mixture (red leaf, spinach, etc)
shredded cabbage
green onions
red, yellow, or orange bell pepper
canned mandarin oranges, drained
shredded carrots
mushrooms
slivered almonds
sesame seeds
water chestnuts
rice noodles or crushed uncooked ramen noodles
cooked chicken (I like to cook mine in pan with a bit of braggs aminos and basil)

Dressing:
1/2 c. light olive oil
6 TBS seasoned rice vinegar
2 TBS sesame oil
1 TBS braggs aminos or soy sauce
3-4 TBS sugar
1 tsp dry mustard

Fruit Cocktail

This was a common breakfast or dinner side dish in my home growing up. It is simple and works well all year round. Just use fruit in season (not canned!!!).

Winter Combo as pictured:

Serves 6

1 apple, diced

1 firm pear, diced

1 cup red grapes

1 banana, diced

2 oranges, peeled and sliced

Other optional add ins:

pineapple

strawberries (if available, these add a great color punch!)

pomegranate seeds

-Place all diced fruit in bowl and pour in a type of juice such as orange juice, peach juice, pineapple/mango combo, until fruit 2/3 submerged. Serve up :-)