Refreshing Minty-Orange Salad

[party_music50]

I don't know where my sister got this recipe, but she always comes up with GOOD stuff to eat. She made this for a family get-together on her last visit "home". I've seen mandarin oranges in salads before and always thought they didn't "go", but with this salad they are *perfect*! In case you're looking for something different, here's the recipe along with her notes:

Refreshing Minty-Orange Salad

1 large can mandarin oranges
3 cups chopped spring mix
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sliced red onion
3-4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

My sister's notes:
I used a 10 ounce can of oranges -- I bought a 15 ounce can but forgot it home.
I used one bag of Spring Mix
The recipe says - 1/2 cup favorite nut. I used the almonds because I was toasting them for
the coleslaw mix. Pecans would be good - or walnuts, too. (I think sliced almonds are perfect for this salad.)

Dressing:

3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons orange juice
1 clove of garlic crushed (I used chopped)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
(mix and chill dressing - pour over salad just before serving.)

[newtohosta-no more]

Sounds yummy! My MIL always made a great chicken salad with mandarin oranges. Not everyone liked the oranges in it, but I sure did.

[party_music50]

gee, chicken salad w/ mandarin oranges sounds very interesting! I've heard of it made w/ various combinations of grapes or raisins, dried cranberries, almonds, celery, ... they all sound great to me!

What makes the "minty-orange" salad so good to me is the way that the mint and balsamic vinegar seem to bond and blend the other ingredients. I wish I had a big fresh bowl to eat now. I love what mint does for tabulli, too -- though I would never think of mint as one of my favorite flavors.