Spinach & Radicchio Salad with Broiled Citrus Vinaigrette

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I know, I know. You are all over winter citrus and have moved on to asparagus and ramps. However, I can’t resist a beautiful blood orange and had to pick up the last few at our local co-op since these are what I can only assume to be the last batch of the season.

I discovered the technique of cooking citrus this past winter and am basically hooked. There is a completely new, sharp flavor that the citrus takes on when caramelized slightly and its not to be overlooked. I recommend using broiled, roasted, and grilled citrus in something that will let the fruit flavor shine instead of burying it under a dish chocked full of too many ingredients. You can count on there being lots of outdoor grilling days ahead with grilled citrus over the open coals.

We are dangerously fast approaching salad season here at the Blue Bush (that is the term for our bright blue house that we reside in). Our kitchen doesn’t have air-conditioning so we tend to live off of raw foods for much of the warmer months. Oh and grilling – did I mention how much Midwesterns love a good cookout? Yup, salads for lunch and grilling for dinner. That is our summer routine.

Although air conditioning would be super rad, I’m not too mad about it. This will be our third summer here and I’ve learned to really appreciate the diversity that can be made with a big bowl of raw veggies and some wonderful dressing.

PS – Today is the last day to sign up for the vegan giveaway I’m hosting where we are giving away FREE shoes and a vegan handbook. Yup, Shoes and literature – how are you not already signed up? Click here to enter before its too late!

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Spinach & Radicchio Salad with Broiled Citrus Vinaigrette

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Author: Shelly Westerhausen

Ingredients

For the broiled citrus:

• 2 pieces of citrus of your choice , sliced in half (I used blood oranges but lemons, grapefruit, or lime would be wonderful as well)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• salt/pepper

For the dressing:

• 4 Tablespoons broiled citrus juice
• 1 Tablespoon mustard
• 2 Tablespoons honey (use agave to make vegan)
• 4 Tablespoons olive oil
• Salt / Pepper

For the Salad:

• 1 head of Radocchio , chopped into thin strips
• 3 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup almonds (I left them whole but feel free to slice)
• 1/4 cup feta (omit for vegan option)

Instructions

1. Turn your oven to the broiler setting and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Drizzle the cut sides of the citrus with olive oil, salt, and pepper and transfer to your prepared baking sheet.
3. Stick under the broiler until the tops start to brown (this won't take more than a minute or two).
4. Whisk together all the ingredients for the vinaigrette until combined.
5. Combine all the salad ingredients in a bowl and mix in the vinaigrette.
6. Garnish with leftover squeeze citrus.