Beet Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Goat Cheese & Raspberry Vinaigrette

I don't know about you, but like the majority of the world once January rolls around, I try and eat healthier. In the winter months, I crave comfort foods...soups, casseroles & pasta dishes. I tend to get lazy when it comes to eating salads during the winter months, so the past few years I have been trying to get better about eating more salads in the winter months. 

Depending on where you live, getting fresh produce in the winter months can be challenging. Tomatoes & cucumbers aren't in season (which is usually what my salads are full of).

Here is an amazing winter salad that I know you will love.

I got the inspiration from a salad that I had at Kevin's Christmas party last year.

It was a beet salad with madarian oranges. 

It was totally out of my comfort zone to order, but I decided to order it to see if I liked beets.

My only memory of beets was from when I was 5 or 6 and had beets one time at Grammy's house. They were from a can & they were nasty.

It had been almost 30 years since I had a tried beets and the beets in the salad were fresh beets.

The salad was amazing. 

It was refreshing & delicious.

I knew I had to try and re-create it at home, especially since most stores are now carrying fresh beets!

Here is what you need:

- Bag of mixed greens (I use a mix that has spinach, kale & lettuce)

- Steamed & Peeled Beets

(You can get them in the refrigerated produce section of your grocery store (I got mine at Trader Joe's, but I have seen them at Safeway also)

- 1 small can of Mandarin Oranges

- Almonds

- Dried Cranberries

- Goat Cheese (or Feta would work also)

I make this salad for lunch, so I just make it for 1 person.

I add my greens to my bowl:

 Then I take 2 or 3 beets & cut them up in quarters:

 Layer those on top of the greens:

 I drain my can of mandarin oranges & use about half the can (and save the other half for another day during the week that I make this salad)

 Then, I sprinkle on some goat cheese, almonds & dried cranberries:

 You could use feta cheese if you want, or you could use pecans instead of almonds:

 I love how colorful this salad is...and it takes just a few minutes to put together!
There are so many textures to the salad..the juicy oranges, the crunch of the almonds & the sweetness of the beets & dried cranberries. It's like a party in your mouth!

 Now, it's time to make the Raspberry Vinaigrette.
This is what makes the salad!

Here is what you need:
 1/4 cup of olive oil
1 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 (10 oz) jar of seedless Raspberry Jam

Combine the olive oil, rice vinegar and raspberry jam in the container of a blender. 
Process until smooth. Store in a mason jar in the refrigerator.

This Raspberry Vinaigrette is to die for! 
So refreshing in the winter months! 

Pour the desired amount of dressing on your salad:

 Enjoy!

 This salad would also be delicious if you added some grilled chicken to it!  Great way to add some protein!

 So, there you have it...Beet Salad!

These aren't the canned beets of your childhood....give beets another try.
Beets are very nutritional for you.
They are high in Potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; folic acid.
Beets also cleanse the body,  help your mental health & are a high source of energy.

 

 I am so glad I gave beets a second chance 30 years later.I just regret I didn't try them again sooner!

What do you think of beets? Thumbs up or thumbs down?