Almond and Blueberry Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette (Guest Post from Pepper Lynn)

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As I am easing (umm, “easing”) back into the whole blogging thing, I have a few foodie friends taking an occasional turn in the Cupcakes & Kale Chips kitchen. I can’t thank them enough. Head on over to Pinterest, too, where I will be pinning all of these awesome recipes on my Guest Posts board, plus my Inspiration boards!

Blueberry salad topped with almonds on a white square plate.

 

Today I’d like to introduce Christie from Pepper Lynn, who is bringing Blueberry Almond Salad with Fresh Orange Vinaigrette! You know I loves me some salads, especially salads with fruit and nuts and cheese, so I have to try this one!

This sounds like my perfect lunch! You can find Christie on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Take it away, Christie…

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Hi! I’m Christie, the blogger behind Pepper Lynn, and I’m thrilled to be guest posting for Brianne while she is on maternity leave. I’ve got two babes of my own, and one of the key lessons I learned after becoming a mom in 2010 is the need for simplicity in the kitchen. No matter how admirable my intentions, I will always choose what is convenient, especially when it comes to scrounging up lunch for myself in the middle of a hectic day. For a long time, this meant I was eating more than my fair share of fishy crackers and fruit leather, but no more! Give me a smoothie for breakfast and a salad for lunch, and I’m set.

Blueberry salad topped with almonds on a white square plate.

 

The salad that I’m sharing today is a riff on one I’ve been eating nonstop lately. The vinaigrette is has a base of freshly squeezed orange juice – yum! – and while I usually use navel oranges, any variety will do. Fresh zest pumps up the orange flavor, red wine vinegar imparts some tang, and honey brings everything together. This recipe makes just over a cup of dressing, so I’ll usually make a batch at the beginning of the week, and it lasts me several days.

Blueberry salad topped with almonds on a white square plate.

 

The salad itself is hardly any work to make, and I’ve intentionally chosen ingredients that require little prep which enables me to quickly assemble my lunch whilst helping the kids with theirs. Mixed greens form the bedrock here, and dried blueberries and almonds provide chew and crunch. A tasty and nutritious lunch has never been so easy!

Blueberry salad topped with almonds on a white square plate.
5 from 1 vote

Almond and Blueberry Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette

A simple and healthy salad with dried blueberries and almonds for chew and crunch, tossed in a fresh and tangy orange citrus vinaigrette.
Prep: 2 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:

For the salad:

  • A couple large handfuls of mixed greens
  • ¼ cup whole raw almonds roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons dried blueberries
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese or goat cheese

Instructions

  • To make the vinaigrette, combine the orange juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, orange zest, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of honey in the jar of a blender and blend for 20 seconds until emulsified. Taste, add additional honey if needed, and blend again.
  • Assemble the salad by placing the greens on a plate and topping with the chopped almonds, dried blueberries, and crumbled queso fresco. Drizzle with the desired amount of fresh orange vinaigrette and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Leftover dressing can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for several days.
Nutrition Facts
Almond and Blueberry Salad with Fresh Citrus Vinaigrette
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406 Calories from Fat 306
% Daily Value*
Fat 34g52%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g
Monounsaturated Fat 23g
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 361mg15%
Potassium 301mg9%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 579IU12%
Vitamin C 26mg32%
Calcium 83mg8%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

Categories:

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Thanks Christie! Sounds and looks super-yummy!

If you like this salad, here are a few of my favorites:

Orange Roasted Chickpea and Spiced Almond Salad

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Summer Fruit & Blue Cheese Salad with Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Vinaigrette

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Grilled Chicken & Berry Salad with Goat Cheese, Pecans, and Blueberry Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

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Plus some awesome salads from my foodie friends:

Find more on my Salad Inspiration Pinterest board.

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