Radicchio Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus Maple Dressing
Lighten up your holiday table with this flavorful salad. Thinly sliced radicchio and brussels sprouts with mandarin segments, crunchy salted pistachios and a bright citrus-maple dressing. Great as a starter or side dish.
Lighten up your holiday table with this flavorful salad. Thinly sliced radicchio and brussels sprouts with mandarin segments, crunchy salted pistachios and a bright citrus-maple dressing. Great as a starter or side dish.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 small head of radicchio lettuce
- 12 whole brussels sprouts
- 3 mandarin oranges (or 2 navel oranges supremed)
- 1/4 cup shelled natural pistachios (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup orange juice ((make sure there are no additives
- 1 large shallot (minced)
- 2 teaspoons whole grain dijon mustard ((i used maille))
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar ((can also use rice wine or re
- heaping 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Carbohydrate 1.28200210991783 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 12.9045884484066 g
- Fiber 0.006625 g
- Protein 0.0027375 g
- Saturated Fat 1.78215622025606 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (15g)
- Sodium 0.43880468779092 mg
- Sugar 1.27537710991783 g
- Trans Fat 0.349367000295306 g
- Calories 119 calories
Step-by-step
- In a small saucepan over high heat, bring orange juice to boiling, reduce heat to an active simmer and reduce the orange juice to a half cup, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- When orange juice is cooled, Add the shallot, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper.
- Whisk to combine.
- Taste for seasonings and adjust as needed.
- With a sharp knife, slice the brussels sprouts crosswise into very thin slices, discarding the root end.
- Transfer the brussels to a large salad bowl.
- Pull the leaves from the radicchio and stack them in a pile.
- Cut the pile in half, vertically, then slice the radicchio into very thin ribbons horizontally.
- Transfer the radicchio to the salad bowl.
- Supreme the mandarins. This means using a very sharp paring knife to remove the peel and outer membrane of the mandarin, so the bare segment is exposed. Then use the knife to slice in between the membranes to remove each individual segment.
- Transfer the segmented fruit to the salad bowl.
- Roughly chop the pistachios and add them to the salad.
- You can make the salad up to this point and refrigerate until ready to serve. Do not add the dressing until you're ready to eat, otherwise it will wilt.
- Add about 3-4 tablespoons of dressing to the salad and toss to coat.
- If the salad needs more dressing, add 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing after each addition.
- The salad shouldn't be goopy and wet, just lightly dressed. (Any remaining dressing can be used on other salads or to dress a piece of fish or chicken).
A Festive Salad for Every Occasion: Radicchio Brussels Sprouts with Citrus Maple Dressing
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook delicious and healthy meals can feel like a Herculean task. But even amidst the whirlwind of deadlines, school runs, and household chores, I always strive to create meals that are both satisfying and nutritious for my family. This Radicchio Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus Maple Dressing is one of my go-to recipes—it’s elegant enough for a holiday gathering, yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner. The vibrant colors and contrasting textures make it a real crowd-pleaser, and the best part? It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare!
The beauty of this salad lies in its simplicity and versatility. The slightly bitter radicchio provides a lovely counterpoint to the sweetness of the mandarin oranges and the subtle earthiness of the Brussels sprouts. The homemade citrus maple dressing ties everything together beautifully, adding a bright, zesty flavor that awakens the palate. I love the crunch of the pistachios; they add a delightful textural element and a pleasant salty note that balances the sweetness of the dressing. This salad is a perfect example of how a few simple ingredients can be transformed into a culinary masterpiece.
This recipe is a testament to the power of fresh, seasonal ingredients. During the holiday season, when our tables are often laden with rich and decadent dishes, this salad provides a refreshing and light counterpoint. It’s the perfect way to cleanse the palate between courses and to ensure you don't feel overly full after a large meal. The vibrant colors alone make it a stunning addition to any holiday spread. I often serve it as a starter, allowing guests to enjoy the fresh flavors before moving on to the main course.
But this salad is not just for special occasions. It's also a perfect lunch or side dish for a weeknight dinner. The prep time is minimal, and the ingredients are readily available at most grocery stores. I often prepare the salad ahead of time, storing the dressed components separately and tossing them together just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and crispness. This allows me to enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal even on the busiest of days.
The recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences. If you're not a fan of pistachios, you can substitute them with walnuts, pecans, or even toasted sunflower seeds. Feel free to experiment with different types of citrus fruits, such as grapefruit or oranges, to create your own unique twist on the salad. The dressing itself is also highly customizable. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, you can increase the amount of maple syrup. If you prefer a more tart dressing, add a bit more vinegar.
Beyond its deliciousness, this salad embodies a philosophy I try to incorporate into my cooking: using fresh, wholesome ingredients to create healthy and satisfying meals. It's a reminder that even amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can still take the time to create something beautiful and nourishing. The salad is not just a dish; it's a small act of self-care, a moment of mindful preparation, and a delicious reward for the effort. I encourage you to try this recipe and experience the joy of creating a simple yet elegant salad that will delight your taste buds and leave you feeling refreshed and energized.
More than just a salad, this dish represents a balance – a balance between the demands of a busy life and the desire to create something beautiful and nourishing. It's a balance of flavors – sweet, tart, and slightly bitter – all harmoniously intertwined. It's a balance of textures – the crispness of the radicchio and Brussels sprouts, the juicy mandarin segments, and the satisfying crunch of the pistachios. And finally, it's a balance of effort and reward – minimal preparation time resulting in a truly exceptional culinary experience. It's a perfect reflection of the busy modern woman, who appreciates both efficiency and elegance.
