Citrus & Celery Salad

This is a simple yet elegant salad for the summertime. If you use oranges of different varieties such as blood orange, Cara Cara, or navel, you should have a nice contrast of colors.  Serves 2.

2 oranges, peeled, thinly sliced to make circles, and seeds removed

2 stalks celery, washed and sliced (on the bias for more flair)

Few black olives, pits removed and sliced

Handful of red grapes, washed and sliced in half (opt.)

Lettuce, frisée, endive, or chicory, torn up for a base layer(opt.)

A few seaweed sprinkles (opt.)

            Place the torn greens, if using, in salad dishes or a bowl.  Then layer the orange slices on top, overlapping them a bit.  Sprinkle the celery, olives and seaweed on top.  Sweet Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing (below) would be a good choice for dressing the salad. 

SWEET LEMON (POPPY SEED) DRESSING

4 TBSP avocado oil

3 TBSP lemon juice

1 TBSP maple syrup

1 TBSP of minced shallot or 1 slice of purple or sweet onion, finely chopped (“warm”)

¼ tsp Dijon mustard (“hot”)

1/8 tsp sea salt

½ to ¾ tsp poppy seeds (opt.)

Place the oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, shallot bits, mustard, and sea salt sequentially in a jar with a lid or a salad dressing container.  Shake until these ingredients are blended.  Add the poppy seeds last, if desired.  Store in the refrigerator.