Spinach Salad with Candied Cashews
Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Spinach Salad with Candied Cashews—a perfect harmony of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors! This recipe features a bed of fresh baby spinach, juicy mandarin orange segments, and paper-thin slices of red onion, all topped with rich, creamy crumbled feta and irresistibly crunchy candied cashews. The secret lies in the homemade balsamic vinaigrette, a luscious blend of olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and a splash of tangy balsamic vinegar that ties it all together. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick, healthy lunch, this 25-minute salad is a showstopper that's as delicious as it is beautiful. Perfect for making ahead and serving fresh—it’s sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Baby spinach
- 1 cup Cashews
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Mandarin oranges (peeled and segmented)
- 0.25 cup Red onion (thinly sliced)
- 0.5 cup Feta cheese (crumbled)
- 0.25 cup Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
Begin by making the candied cashews. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add the cashews and granulated sugar.
Stir the cashews constantly as the sugar begins to melt and coat them, about 5-7 minutes. Once the cashews are golden and coated, transfer them onto a sheet of parchment paper or a baking mat to cool completely.
While the cashews cool, prepare the vinaigrette. In a small mixing bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified, then set aside.
In a large salad bowl, add the baby spinach, mandarin orange segments, sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
Once the cashews have cooled and hardened, roughly chop them and add them to the salad.
Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing and flavorful spinach salad with candied cashews!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
523 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.0 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.7 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 17 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 525 mg | 23% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 51.2 g | 19% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.0 g | ||
| Protein | 9.4 g | 19% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 175 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 3.8 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 308 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
