Citrus Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

MelandBoysKitchen

Happy Spring Everyone!  I thought this pretty Citrus Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing was the perfect dish to welcome in the season.  We all need some bright, nutrient dense, uplifting foods on our plates right now!

How are you holding up during this time of the Covid-19 Pandemic?  Times are difficult for so many and that hurts my heart.  On one hand it feels good to be home with my family, but the uncertainty and knowledge that others are suffering makes it very difficult too.  I am trying to focus on the things that I do have control over and not worry and stress about what is out of my hands.  My number one priority right now is keeping my family safe, healthy and loved. Brad and I are really enjoying family meals with 4/5 boys home now.  It is a happy sight to see them all gathered around the table together again, eating good home-cooked food with lots of fun conversations going.

Here in Tennessee the weather has been sunny and warm, putting me in the mood for crispy, chilled salads! My boys are not as smitten with salads as I am, but they are used to having them with almost every dinner. I am pretty passionate about getting greens into my family–thus our morning tradition of Green Smoothies.  Have you tried any of these recipes yet?  They are a great way to get lots of nutrients into your family in a delicious drink! Another way is salad and I am always looking for healthy and delicious ingredients to add variety.

Poppy seeds are a fun addition and have amazing benefits! Not only are they delightfully crunchy and loaded with fiber, poppy seeds are high in calcium, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus, which builds strong bones and provide heart, digestive, and immune support. They’re also a good source of B vitamins. And last, but not least, they provide a unique and cool texture and look to your recipes!  We love the little black seeds in this Poppy Seed Bundt Cake.  Maybe not as healthy as this salad, but seriously yummy!!

I like to keep poppy seeds in my freezer, so they last longer. Some other recipes I love that use poppy seeds are:

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Hot Ham and Swiss Poppy Seed Sliders

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

Citrus Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

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Ingredients

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• Spring mix
• oranges (peel removed, sliced into thin circles)
• red onion, sliced
• avocado, sliced
• pumpkin or sunflower seeds (salted)
• Cilantro, chopped (or parsley or fresh herb of choice)

Poppyseed Dressing

• 1/2 cup avocado oil or light olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar (or honey or maple syrup)
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon dried mustard (or dijon mustard)
• 1 teaspoon Salt

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Instructions

Salad:

1. Layer spring mix on a large plate or shallow bowl.
2. Cover with sliced, oranges, red onion, and avocado.
3. Toss some chopped cilantro (or parsley) on top.
4. Sprinkle on pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds and drizzle with poppyseed dressing.

Poppy Seed Dressing:

1. In a small bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, add the oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, dried mustard, poppy seeds, and salt to taste (up to a 1 teaspoon).
2. Stir or shake to combine.
3. Allow the flavors to blend at room temperature while preparing the salad.