Fresh and Zesty Citrus Salad: A Healthy Meal Delight

Citrus salads are the perfect addition to any meal, providing a refreshing and light taste that is impossible to resist. This recipe for Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette takes a classic salad to a whole new level with its bright and tangy flavors.

With juicy pink grapefruit, sweet oranges, bitter endive and radicchio, and crisp red leaf lettuce, this salad is a show-stopping dish that’s guaranteed to impress your guests. What sets it apart from other citrus salads is the Champagne vinaigrette dressing made with Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, honey, orange juice, fresh lemon juice, and champagne vinegar.

It’s not just a great starter dish but also an excellent side to steak or fish. Adding Roquefort cheese or avocado can also completely change the texture of the salad. The best part of this recipe? It is versatile enough to pair with a wide variety of dishes.

If you’re looking for a refreshing addition to your menu this holiday season or want to make a winter salad that’s both healthy and delicious – give this Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette a try. Trust me; it’ll be the highlight of your next dinner party!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette is a show-stopping salad that will become a refreshing addition to your menu. The variety of citrus fruits such as pink grapefruit, oranges, and endive combined with the tangy Roquefort cheese and the crunchiness of radicchio and red leaf lettuce creates a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will leave your palate satisfied.

But what really sets this salad apart is the champagne vinaigrette. Made with Dijon mustard, champagne vinegar, olive oil, and other simple ingredients, this vinaigrette brings out the sweetness of the citrus fruits while adding a delicious zing to the overall dish.

Not only is this salad visually stunning and delicious, but it’s also incredibly healthy! Packed with vitamin C and fiber, it makes for an excellent choice for those watching their diet.

So whether you’re looking to impress guests at your next dinner party or are simply in need of a new healthy recipe to try, this citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette is sure to be a hit.

Ingredient List

Here’s everything you will need for the delicious Citrus Salad With Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe:

Salad Ingredients

• 1 head of endive, chopped
• 1 head of radicchio, chopped
• 1 head of red leaf lettuce, chopped
• 1 small red onion, sliced thinly
• 1 pink grapefruit, cut into segments
• 2 oranges, cut into segments
• ¼ cup crumbled Roquefort cheese

Citrus Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• juice of one freshly squeezed orange
• 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Make sure to gather all these ingredients before starting to prepare this refreshing and show-stopping salad.

The Recipe How-To

Here’s how to make this refreshing and citrusy salad that will tantalize your tastebuds.

Ingredients

• 1 grapefruit
• 2 oranges
• 2 endives
• 1 small head of radicchio
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup Roquefort cheese crumbled
• Champagne vinaigrette dressing

Preparation

1. Begin by preparing the salad ingredients. Cut off the tops and bottoms of the grapefruit and orange. Then, using a sharp knife, carefully remove the peel and white pith from around the fruit.
2. Over a bowl, slice between the membranes to release the segments. Reserve the juice for the vinaigrette.
3. Clean and separate endive leaves. Cut radicchio into ribbons.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together some Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and champagne vinegar until blended.
5. Gradually whisk in extra-virgin olive oil until it emulsifies into a creamy dressing. Add some fresh lemon juice and honey for sweetness.
6. Put all salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl except for the Roquefort cheese.
7. Drizzle with some champagne vinaigrette dressing and toss to combine.
8. Top it off with crumbled Roquefort cheese.

This citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette is perfect for any occasion, from a show-stopping holiday salad to an everyday lunch option. Enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations

If you love experimenting with flavors, then this citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette recipe has plenty of room for substitutions and variations. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:

– Greens: Instead of using red leaf lettuce, endive and radicchio, you can opt for other types of salad greens, such as arugula, spinach or mixed baby greens. You can also add fresh herbs like mint or basil to give your salad an aromatic twist.

– Citrus fruits: The recipe calls for pink grapefruit and oranges, but feel free to use any other citrus fruits that you love. Blood oranges, pomelos or mandarins are all great choices. Just make sure to pick the ones that are in season for maximum flavor.

– Cheese: If you’re not a fan of Roquefort cheese, you can substitute it with other types of blue cheeses like Gorgonzola or Stilton. Or, if you prefer milder flavors, try goat cheese feta or Parmesan shards.

– Dressing: While the champagne vinaigrette is undoubtedly delicious, you can play around with other types of dressings too. A lemon vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper can add a tangy kick. Or why not try a honey citrus dressing made with freshly squeezed orange juice and honey?

– Toppings: Finally, don’t be afraid to add some extra toppings for texture and flavor. Toasted nuts such as almonds or pecans, crispy bacon bits or avocado slices can be great additions.

Whatever substitutions and variations you decide to make, remember that the key to a great salad is balance. Make sure to mix and match ingredients that complement each other and adjust the quantities accordingly to your liking. Get creative and have fun!

Serving and Pairing

This citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette is a refreshing addition to any menu. It’s the perfect dish to serve in the summertime or as an appetizer to start off a fancy dinner party. The salad is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. I recommend serving it alongside grilled chicken or fish, as well as pasta dishes that have light and fresh flavors.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, try pairing the salad with roasted vegetables or a quinoa pilaf. The salad also works well as part of a green salad mix with roasted beets and fennel. The combination of citrus and salty Roquefort cheese makes this a great pair for red wines like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. For white wine lovers, try serving this dish with Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.

For those who prefer sparkling wines, Champagne is an obvious choice here since it’s used in the vinaigrette recipe. A brut Champagne will complement the citrus flavors perfectly while providing a nice balance between sweet and acidic.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette is sure to be a show-stopping addition to any meal. Its vibrant colors, delicious flavors, and interesting texture make it an unforgettable culinary experience that everyone will enjoy.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

This citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette recipe is best served fresh, but it can be made ahead to save time. To make ahead, prepare each ingredient separately and combine them just before serving. Keep the champagne vinaigrette in a separate container until you’re ready to serve.

This salad stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, once dressed, it’s best to consume it within 24 hours for the freshest taste. Keep it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent any unwanted air from entering.

When it comes to reheating this salad, I do not recommend reheating this dish since it’s a cold dish served as a refreshing addition to your menu. Reheating can alter the texture of the lettuces and citrus fruits and significantly affect the overall taste of your salad. If you do have leftovers that you’d like to revive, add some fresh dressing or squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto the salad for additional flavor.

With these storage tips in mind, you can whip up this delicious show-stopping salad for your next holiday gathering without worrying about last-minute preparations.

Tips for Perfect Results

To ensure that your Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is a show-stopping addition to your menu, I have some tips for you to follow.

Firstly, when making the champagne vinaigrette, whisk the Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until combined. Then slowly add the champagne vinegar while whisking constantly. Once the mixture has emulsified, slowly pour in olive oil in a steady stream, continuing to whisk until fully incorporated. This will create a smooth and well-emulsified vinaigrette.

Secondly, when cutting the citrus segments, do so over a bowl to catch all the juices – this will not only make it easier to prepare the salad but also enhance its flavors. Additionally, make sure the citrus fruits you use are ripe and juicy; this will help keep your salad moist and flavorful.

Thirdly, cut the lettuce, endive, radicchio, red onion and avocados into bite-size pieces. This makes it easy to eat and helps ensure that every bite is well balanced with all ingredients.

Fourthly, toss the salad with just enough dressing to coat everything lightly; otherwise it may be overly soggy or difficult for guests to pick up onto their plates.

Finally, serve the Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette immediately after dressing it or within 10 minutes of adding the dressing to prevent wilting of greens. Also try serving it as a side dish with roasted chicken or grilled fish; it pairs magically with either!

FAQ

Now let’s move on to the most commonly asked questions regarding this Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette recipe. These FAQs will cover any doubts or concerns you may have about the ingredients, the process, or the final outcome of this show-stopping salad. So let’s address these queries and ensure that you can create a delicious and refreshing addition to your menu!

What is champagne vinaigrette made of?

Crafting a delicious champagne vinaigrette is a straightforward affair involving a carefully calibrated mix of olive oil, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, shallot, honey, salt, and pepper. All it takes is a bit of elbow grease to whisk it all together into a tangy and sweet dressing.

What is citrus vinaigrette made of?

To make a flavorful dressing, mix shallot, orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper in a blender or small food processor. Another option is to put everything in a jar and use an immersion blender. Then, pour in olive oil and either canola or avocado oil, and blend until it forms a smooth dressing.

What is champagne vinegar good with?

When it comes to adding a tangy kick to chicken, fish, or shrimp, Champagne vinegar is a great option. However, it may not be the best match for heartier red meats due to its delicacy. This versatile vinegar also pairs well with fruit, making it a perfect addition to fruit-based recipes like fruit salad or fruit salsa.

What is in Marzetti Champagne vinaigrette?

This condiment contains a blend of ingredients that includes water, canola oil, champagne and white wine vinegars, sugar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, natural flavor, garlic that has been dehydrated, xanthan gum, dehydrated bell pepper, and spices.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette recipe is a show-stopping dish that is both refreshing and delicious. With the combination of sweet and tangy citrus fruit, the salty Roquefort cheese, and the peppery greens, it is sure to be an instant hit at your next dinner party or holiday gathering.

What makes this salad even better is the easy-to-make Champagne vinaigrette dressing. With only a few simple ingredients such as Dijon mustard, honey, and Champagne vinegar, you can create a flavorful and versatile dressing that can be used in many other salads too.

Don’t be afraid to switch up the recipe by adding your own favorite fruits or toppings to make it your own. This salad also pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.

So why not add this refreshing Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette to your menu today? It’s an excellent addition to any holiday table or any time of year when you want to brighten up your meal or impress your guests!

Recommended Recipes Just For You

None found