How about a vitamin-rich salad that transports you to a land of sunshine and warmth? Citrus fruits are a source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and calcium. And I’ve also heard that the vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron from the spinach better.

Years ago while living in Toronto, a friend Michelle stopped by. As the two of us tried to rustle up a meal with what we had in the fridge, she showed me this simple orange and spinach salad and taught me how to whip up a salad dressing that was so simple and yet, so light. The dressing avoided oils and fats and was sooo delicious. This salad is a riff on that one – some more ingredients but still just packed with vitamin C and good for us ingredients and is the perfect side dish that’s easy to put on the table.

Servings: 4 Time: 10 minutes

Dressing:

• 2 tbsp orange juice (squeeze half an orange)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp French mustard

Salad Ingredients:

• 3 large oranges
• 5 oz spinach, arugula mix
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup goat cheese
• 1/4 cup pistachios, or almonds or a combination
• 1/4 pitted Medjool dates, chopped

Method:

1. Prepare dressing: Whisk the orange juice, honey and mustard and set aside
2. Prepare salad:
   1. Peel the orange and cut into big chunks
   2. In a large salad bowl, layer the spinach and arugula mix
   3. Layer the orange chunks, red onions
   4. Sprinkle the nuts, cheese and dates
   5. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss just before serving

Nutrition: Approximate estimates only

Per Serving: Calories: 238.5 Carbs: 52 Fat:3.5 Protein: 5.25 Sodium: 112.75 Sugar:43.75