Description
A refreshing and tangy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing paired with a vibrant mixed greens salad featuring clementine oranges, candied pecans, avocado, and feta cheese. This quick and easy recipe blends creamy Greek yogurt, zesty lemon juice, and crunchy poppy seeds for a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for a light and healthy meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey (adjust to preference)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional, recommended)
Salad
- 8 cups mixed greens
- 2 cups clementine oranges, peeled and segmented
- 1 cup candied pecans, coarsely chopped
- 1 large avocado (or 2 small), peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- Dried tart cherries or dried cranberries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make Dressing: In a small blender, combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, apple cider vinegar, Greek yogurt, and salt. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy. Using a spoon, gently stir in the poppy seeds without blending them to maintain their crunch. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness or acidity as preferred. Transfer the dressing to a mason jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before serving.
- Prepare Salad: On a large serving platter or in a big bowl, evenly arrange the mixed greens, clementine orange segments, and candied pecans. Add the diced avocado over the top along with the crumbled feta or goat cheese. If desired, sprinkle dried tart cherries or cranberries for extra sweetness and texture.
- Dress Salad: Drizzle the prepared lemon poppy seed dressing gradually over the salad, tossing gently to combine all ingredients well. Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness. Note that if you plan to store leftovers, it is best not to add dressing, cheese, or avocado, as dressed salad ingredients do not store well and may become soggy or brown.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing to suit your preferred level of sweetness.
- Do not blend the poppy seeds to preserve their texture in the dressing.
- Store leftover dressing separately refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Add dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
- Dried tart cherries or cranberries are optional but add a lovely tart contrast to the salad.
