Almond Arugula & Orange Salad

Don’t let our winter weather hold you back from enjoying fresh salads! For instance, this Almond, Arugula & Orange salad, which is simply delightful. After all, including colourful fruits and veggies in our diets helps combat the winter blues, as mentioned in 3 Ways to Boost Mood with Food. Folate and tryptophan in leafy greens (like arugula) raise levels of our happy hormone (serotonin), which plays a role in mood regulation. Nevertheless, to keep our palates entertained and love of our greens incorporated, it’s important to pack our salads with extra flavour, citrus/acid and different textures.

For this Almond, Arugula & Orange Salad, I did a couple things to make it extra scrumptious:

1. Add fresh herbs (torn basil & Italian Parsley). This brings an extra flavour dimension you’ll love. In addition, if you have potted herbs in kitchen, you can have herbs all year.
2. Add crunch with slivered almonds. Different textures in salads create interest. 👌
3. Add one or two types of fruit for added vitamins, carbohydrate energy and acid to your greens. 🍊
4. Toss greens in favourite oil & acid (I used balsamic vinegar for this.) I generally go for 2:1 ratio of oil to acid. So 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic, for example. Remember to taste test before serving to guests and add more acid or greens if needed.
5. Pinch of kosher salt to pop the flavours of all your amazing ingredients.

Almond Arugula & Orange Salad Recipe

• Serves: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups of arugula
• ½ cup fresh Italian Parsley & basil
• 1 orange, segmented (preferably seedless)
• ¼ cup blueberries
• 3 Tbsp unsalted slivered almonds
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Pinch of Kosher salt

Optional: Drizzle balsamic glaze on top of the orange and greens for elegant finish.

Directions for Almond, Arugula & Orange Salad:

1. In a large salad bowl mix arugula with fresh parsley and basil.
2. Next add in orange segments, blueberries and slivered almonds.
3. Drizzle oil and balsamic vinegar over salad and toppings.
4. Toss salad to combine ingredients. You want the greens to be coated lightly.
5. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top.

Are you a fellow salad fan? Have you tried bumping up the ante to ensure your salads have your family/guests/yourself asking for seconds?

Almond Arugula & Orange Salad

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This refreshing Almond, Arugula & Orange salad includes colourful fruits and veggies to help combat winter blues!

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Ingredients

• 4 cups of arugula
• ½ cup fresh Italian Parsley & basil
• 1 orange, segmented (preferably seedless)
• ¼ cup blueberries
• 3 Tbsp unsalted slivered almonds
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Pinch of Kosher salt
• Optional: Drizzle balsamic glaze on top of the orange and greens for elegant finish.

Instructions

1. In a large salad bowl mix arugula with fresh parsley and basil. 
2. Add in orange segments, blueberries and slivered almonds.
3. Drizzle oil and balsamic vinegar over salad and toppings. 
4. Toss salad to combine ingredients. You want the greens to be coated lightly.
5. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top.