Blood Orange Mint Salad Recipes

BLOOD ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• Lightly pickle onion: Mix sugar and vinegar, then add onion and set aside for 15 minutes to lightly pickle (vinegar should just about cover onion). Drain, reserve pickling vinegar.
• Slice oranges, reserve juice: Cut rind from oranges, then slice into rounds. Reserve all juice on cutting board - you want around 2 teaspoons (if you're short, sacrifice a slice or two).
• Blood Orange Drizzle Dressing: Measure out 2 tsp pickling vinegar, shake/whisk with the reserved 2 tsp juice, 2 tbsp EVOO with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Lightly dress fennel: Toss fennel in 1 tbsp onion pickling juice, remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper.
• Assembling: Place 1/2 orange rounds on plate. Pile over 2/3 the fennel, litter with onion, parsley, place half remaining orange slices on top. Top with remaining fennel, oranges then onion. Sprinkle with parsley leaves. Just before serving, drizzle over the Blood Orange Dressing, mainly on the oranges so it doesn't stain the fennel too much. Serve immediately!

SICILIAN FENNEL AND ORANGE SALAD WITH RED ONION AND MINT

Steps:

• Cut peel and pith from oranges. Cut between membranes to release segments.
• Toss orange segments, fennel, onion, mint, and oil in large bowl to coat. Season salad generously to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer salad to platter. Garnish with olives and serve immediately.

BEET-AND-BLOOD ORANGE SALAD WITH MINT

Steps:

• Spread the beets in a large steamer basket and steam until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer the beets to a bowl and let cool completely.
• Using a sharp knife, peel the oranges, removing all of the bitter white pith. Quarter the oranges lengthwise, then slice crosswise 1/3 inch thick. Add the oranges to the beets along with the parsley and mint.
• In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice with the vinegar, shallot, honey and 1/8 teaspoon of sumac. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Add the feta and toss again. Sprinkle the salad with sumac and serve.
• Note 1: The beets can be steamed one day in advance and refrigerated.
• Note 2: Sumac powder can be purchased at Middle Eastern markets or specialty-food stores.