Spinach Salad With Oranges And Warm Goat Cheese
A vibrant spinach salad featuring sweet oranges, warm goat cheese, crunchy pecans, and a tangy mustard vinaigrette, perfect for a light, flavorful first course or brunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cut peel and white pith from oranges with a sharp small knife.
- Working over a sieve set over a bowl, cut orange sections free from membranes, letting sections drop into the sieve.
- Cut goat cheese into fourths and gently form into a disk.
- Dip each goat cheese disk into chopped pecans to coat all over.
- Bake the coated goat cheese disks on a small baking sheet in the middle of the oven until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Measure out 1 tablespoon of orange juice from the bowl and whisk together with mustard, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
- Add olive oil to the dressing and whisk until blended.
- Add spinach, sliced red onion, and orange sections to the dressing and toss well.
- Season with pepper.
- Divide the salad among 4 plates and carefully transfer one goat cheese disk to each plate.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier dressing, consider adding a dollop of Greek yogurt. If you can't find mild goat cheese, a soft feta or ricotta could work well as a substitute. Toasting the pecans briefly enhances their flavor. Don’t skip the orange juice in the dressing; it balances the richness of the goat cheese. This salad is a great option for vegetarian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This salad makes a vibrant starter or light main course. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. For a heartier option, consider serving it alongside crusty bread or as a side to Pennsylvania Dutch Cheesecake for dessert. This dish is perfect for gatherings, light lunches, or picnics.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover salad components separately to prevent sogginess. Keep the dressed spinach in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The goat cheese disks can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to warm them through before serving again.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spinach Salad With Oranges And Warm Goat Cheese contains roughly 377 calories, with 10g protein, 20g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (37% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (25% of the Daily Value), and protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 464mg per serving (20% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad in advance?
While the components can be prepared ahead of time, it's best to dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp. You can segment the oranges and prepare the goat cheese ahead, then combine everything on the day of serving.
What can I substitute for the pecans?
If you have nut allergies or prefer a different flavor, walnuts or sliced almonds would be great alternatives to pecans. You could also use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for added crunch without nuts.
How can I add protein to this salad?
To make this salad more filling, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian protein option. These additions will complement the flavors without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).