Light and fresh salad with Mediterranean notes
This bright salad combines sweet citrus notes with the light spiciness of red onions and the rich taste of black olives. It is prepared very quickly, and it looks festive and appetizing. An ideal option both for a light dinner and as an appetizer for the festive table.
This recipe is appreciated for its phenomenal simplicity. When guests are on the doorstep, and the refrigerator is “empty”, he always saves the situation. The combination of sweet orange, spicy onion and salty olives creates a real explosion of flavors.
Another feature of the dish is that you can add your favorite vegetables with a neutral taste to it. It will not spoil the taste of the dish.
Preparation time: 10 minutes.
Calorie content: approximately 115 kcal per serving.
Ingredients
- Large orange – 1 pc.
- Black olives – a handful
- Red onion (small) — 1 pc. or half
- Olive oil – to taste
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper – to your taste
How to make an orange-and-onion salad
Citrus preparation. Peel the orange. I advise you to cut the peel with a sharp knife so as to capture the white bitter part – then the segments will be as tender as possible. Cut the fruit into circles or divide it into fillets.
Working with onions. Cut the red onion into thin, thin half rings or feathers. If the onion is too “angry”, I usually wash it with ice water – this removes the excess sharpness, leaving only a pleasant crunch.
Assembling the dish. Place the oranges on a flat plate in a single layer. Spread onions and olives evenly on top.
Final accord. Salt, season generously with pepper and drizzle with quality olive oil. Let the salad stand for 2-3 minutes so that the juices mix.
Tips:
If you want to make the salad more hearty, add a handful of roasted pine nuts or fresh mint. I also really like the option of adding cheese – try adding some crumbled feta or cheese instead of regular salt, it will create a great contrast with the sweet orange.
For freshness, it is fashionable to add arugula or fennel leaves. And instead of ordinary oil, you can use balsamic vinegar.
This dish is best consumed immediately after preparation. Due to the large amount of juice in the oranges, the salad quickly “drains” and loses its aesthetic appearance. If you need to prepare in advance, cut the ingredients separately and mix and season just before serving.
What does it taste like
This salad will be the perfect complement to seafood dishes and white fish, grilled or baked in foil with herbs. Its citrus acidity perfectly balances the fattiness of fish and emphasizes the delicate taste of sea bream, sea bass or even shrimp. I really like to prepare it for a “sea dinner”, because the light sweetness of the orange combined with the spicy onion works as a natural flavor enhancer for seafood delicacies.
Also, I sincerely advise you to try this salad as a side dish for delicate poultry, for example, duck breast or baked chicken fillet in honey glaze. Fruit notes create a classic gastronomic tandem with poultry, adding juiciness and freshness to the dish. Due to its lightness, such a salad does not overload the stomach, which makes it a win-win option for a balanced lunch or an elegant holiday snack.
You will find even more salad recipes on our website:
Bean and sun-dried tomato salad – it is worth cooking, because it is nutritious and saturates well without feeling heavy. The combination of tender beans with the rich taste of sun-dried tomatoes creates a bright and appetizing dish. In addition, it is easy and quick to make, using simple ingredients.
Raw cauliflower salad in 5 minutes – just a few minutes, and the dish is ready. Such a salad preserves a maximum of vitamins and has a pleasant crunchy texture. This is a light and healthy option for a snack or as an addition to the main course.
Salad with chicken and pomegranate – it combines tender meat with a bright sweet-sour note of pomegranate seeds. Such a dish looks festive and adds color to any table. In addition, it is nutritious, but at the same time light, so it is suitable both for everyday life and for special events.
Baked beetroot salad with goat cheese – has a delicate balance of sweet and delicately salty taste. Baked beets become especially fragrant and soft, and cheese adds a creamy texture. This is a stylish and healthy dish that is perfect for both the daily menu and the festive table.