Salad With Buttercrunch Lettuce & Mandarin

The first time I tried this salad in Toronto what seems like a lifetime ago I couldn’t get enough of it. It was so good I had to restrain myself from licking the plate! Over the years I’ve altered the salad slightly by reducing the olive oil the original recipe called for and swapping out the canned mandarin orange slices in heavy syrup for fresh ones.

Ingredients:

• 1 head buttercrunch lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
• 6 mandarin oranges
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp crushed candied pecans
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp dried mustard powder
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 small avocado

Directions:

1. Prepare the Lettuce: Wash and thoroughly dry the buttercrunch lettuce. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl. This will be the base of your salad.
2. Prepare the Mandarins: Peel four and separate them into segments. Removing the membranes is unnecessary as the segments are small and delicate. Add the mandarin segments to the bowl with the lettuce.
3. Add the Red Onion and Pecans: Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad bowl. Sprinkle the crushed candied pecans over the top. The pecans add a delightful crunch and sweetness to the salad.
4. Make the Dressing: Juice the remaining 2 mandarins and combine the juice with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and dried mustard powder in a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing is well emulsified. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
5. Prepare the Avocado: Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop each half out of the peel and dice. Drop the avocado pieces into the dressing. The juice and vinegar in the dressing will prevent the avocado from discoloring and keep it fresh.
6. Combine the Salad: When you are ready to serve the salad, pour the dressing and avocado pieces over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss the salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. This ensures that every bite is full of flavor.
7. Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh, crisp textures and the vibrant flavors. This salad is a perfect side dish for any meal and can also be enjoyed as a light, refreshing main course.

Tips for Success:

• Candied Pecans: To make candied pecans, toast pecan halves in a dry skillet and coat them with sugar and butter until caramelized.
• Mandarins: If fresh mandarins are unavailable, you can substitute them with high-quality canned mandarins in juice, ensuring they are well-drained before adding to the salad.
• Avocado: Use a ripe but firm avocado to ensure it holds its shape in the salad and provides a creamy texture without becoming mushy.

This Buttercrunch Lettuce and Mandarin Orange Salad is a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements, making it a versatile and delicious addition to your meal repertoire. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and refreshing taste of this easy-to-make salad!