Funny fact: I have potluck anxiety. When I need to bring a dish to a gathering to share, I agonize for days about what to bring, wanting it to be The Perfect Thing. Considering my background is in restaurants and catering, I find this little quirk to be nothing short of comical; I mean, I’ve catered weddings. Potlucks should be a piece of cake! But still, there’s something I find so high pressure about the whole thing.
sesame spinach & citrus salad
So when Earthbound Farm asked me to make a dish using their organic baby spinach that people would feel great about bringing to holiday potlucks… I was thrilled.
Really! Because I’m guessing I’m not the only one who overthinks What To Bring To A Potluck, and I love the opportunity to create The Perfect Thing to share with you. Plus, I had lots of time to think, test, taste, and repeat, to make sure this salad was potluck worthy.
Simple, easy to find ingredients come together to create a dish that has tons of color, flavor and texture- sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering!
Earthbound Farm was kind enough to give me a coupon to share with you! Click the image below to print it to use on your next order:
Sesame Spinach & Citrus Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 5 ounces Earthbound Farm organic baby spinach
- 2 small cucumbers (such as Persian cut into long ribbons with a vegetable peeler)
- 2 large oranges (cut into segments (see tip))
- 2 scallions (thinly sliced)
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (toasted and salted)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
For the sesame dressing:
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (see tip)
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos (or tamari, omit salt if using)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or another neutral tasting oil)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the salad ingredients, reserving the orange juice you get from cutting the orange segments. (see tip, below)
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all the ingredients.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, toss the spinach and cucumber ribbons with about ¼ cup of the dressing.
- Transfer to a serving platter and scatter the orange sections on top. Sprinkle on the walnuts, scallions, and sesame seeds. Drizzle with additional dressing.
Notes
- To section the oranges, cut off the tops and bottoms. Then cut between the peel and flesh, following the shape of the orange, removing all the pith and as little of the flesh as possible. Working over a bowl, cut between the membranes to release each orange segment. Squeeze the remaining membranes to get out as much juice as possible. Reserve the juice to use in the dressing.
- The consistency of tahini varies between brands; if your dressing is too thick, simply add a teaspoon of water at a time until it’s creamy and pourable.
- You will have extra dressing. It’s great as a dip or drizzled over veggies as a side dish. Store it in a jar in the fridge and use within 5 days. Or if feeding a larger crowd, double the salad ingredients, you’ll have enough dressing for 10 ounces of spinach.
Thank you, Earthbound Farm, for sponsoring this post!
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Jennifer S. says
Can’t wait to try this, especially the dressing. All your dressings are awesome!
zenbellyblog says
Thanks, Jennifer! I hope you love it 🙂
Harper Honan says
Loved this salad, quick to whip up, refreshing and love the kick of ginger
zenbelly says
Thanks, Harper! So glad you loved it 😀
Bettrietta Kime says
Got a chance to make this salad this weekend. We all brought a side dish to go with a crab feed party- we all made salad! This beauty had hardly a serving left at the end of the night. I did add a fat clove of garlic microplaned into the dressing cuz – garlic. Thank you!
zenbelly says
Thanks, Bettrietta! I’m so glad everyone at the crab party loved it! Yay for Dungeness season 😀