Mardi Gras Salad ~ Mandarin Oranges, Spinach, Red Onion, Mushrooms~Delicious

My husband Doug and I love New Orleans; the delicious food, lively music, eclectic and friendly people. And I use any excuse to cook up some great Cajun or Creole foods, and with Mardi Gras season upon us I am planning our annual Mardi Gras party.

Join me on my blog this week for my Mardi Gras recipes. Cheers!

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras were selected in 1872 and in 1892 the symbolism of the colors was decided: purple represents justice, green faith and gold power.

Mardi Gras Salad and Gumbo~

My friend Janet introduced me to the Mardi Gras salad, which in a festive salad using the colors of Mardi Gras, purple (red) onion, slices of mandarin oranges and green spinach. This is a really flavorful salad and it has become a favorite that I serve all year long, sometimes without the bacon! The bacon provides a great flavor but you can make the salad without the bacon.

• Ingredients:

• 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped

• 1 bunch (or 10-ounce bag) fresh spinach leaves, stemmed, rinsed and chopped

– I like to use baby spinach but any fresh spinach works as well

• 8 slices bacon, fried until crisp, crumble

• ½ red onion thinly sliced

• 1 ½ cups Mandarin orange sections, drained or use the juice to sweeten the dressing

• 1 8-ounce package mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

• Dressing:

• ½ cup cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon of sweetener, 1 tablespoon Agave, ¼ cup sugar or the juice from the Mandarin oranges

• 1 tsp dry mustard

• 2/3 cup vegetable or olive oil

• How to prepare the Salad:

• Whisk together the cider vinegar, onion powder, sugar, mustard and vegetable oil

– This can be made several days ahead of time and refrigerated

• In a large skillet, over medium heat cook the bacon until crisp, allow the bacon to cool then crumble 

– You can cook the bacon several days ahead and refrigerate

• Rinse the lettuce and spinach, drain in a colander, pat dry with paper towels and chop

– I like to remove the stems from the spinach

• Slice the red onion

• Drain the mandarin oranges into a bowl to add to the dressing

• Clean and slice the mushrooms

• In a large bowl toss together lettuce, spinach, bacon, onion, mandarin oranges and mushrooms

• Whisk dressing, add to the salad and toss

A delicious salad any time of the year! What's your favorite Salad?

Cook something! Cheers! Kary ~