Imagine a salad that defies culinary expectations and transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary sensory experience. Our Orange and Chocolate Salad is not just a dish—it's a bold fusion of unexpected flavors that will make your palate dance with delight! This isn't your typical green salad; it's a gourmet adventure that combines the bright, citrusy punch of fresh oranges, the rich decadence of dark chocolate shavings, and the earthy crunch of walnuts, all united by a tantalizing raspberry vinaigrette.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Fusion
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 orange, segmented
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate shavings
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup raspberry vinaigrette
Instructions
- Wash the mixed salad greens thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry using a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Carefully segment the orange by cutting off the top and bottom, then standing it upright and cutting away the peel and white pith with a sharp knife. Slice between the membranes to release perfect orange segments.
- Using a vegetable peeler or sharp knife, create chocolate shavings by carefully scraping the dark chocolate block, allowing delicate curls to form.
- Roughly chop the walnuts into smaller pieces to distribute more evenly throughout the salad.
- In a large salad bowl, spread the mixed greens as a base layer to create a vibrant green foundation.
- Artfully arrange the orange segments across the greens, creating visual interest and ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the salad, allowing them to nestle between the greens and orange segments.
- Delicately scatter the dark chocolate shavings, letting them create an elegant contrast against the bright orange and green background.
- Just before serving, drizzle the raspberry vinaigrette evenly over the salad, ensuring each ingredient gets a light coating.
- Gently toss the salad to combine ingredients without bruising the delicate greens, and serve immediately to maintain freshness and texture.
Tips
- Freshness is Key: Always use crisp, fresh salad greens and pat them completely dry to ensure the dressing clings perfectly and prevents a soggy texture.
- Chocolate Shaving Technique: Use a room temperature chocolate bar and a sharp vegetable peeler for the most elegant, delicate chocolate curls.
- Orange Segmenting Pro Tip: To get perfect orange segments, use a sharp, non-serrated knife and remove all white pith for a clean, sweet citrus flavor.
- Dressing Application: Drizzle the raspberry vinaigrette just before serving to maintain the salad's structural integrity and prevent wilting.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after preparation to enjoy the optimal temperature and texture contrast between the ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
