Summer green salad with avocado, orange & pistachio

Ingredients:

For the Salad

A good serving of baby greens or spring salad mix

2 large oranges

1 large avocado (or 2 small)

Handful of fresh mint, chopped

Handful of raw pistachios

For the Sweetened Pistachios

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Orange Dressing

1 teaspoon orange zest

3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

How to Make Orange, Avocado & Sweetened Pistachio Salad:

1. Arrange the baby greens on a large serving platter or in a salad bowl.

2. Peel the oranges and slice them into segments or rounds. Thinly slice the avocado and arrange both over the salad leaves before scattering over the chopped fresh mint.

3. To make the sweet, crunchy pistachios, warm the honey (or maple syrup) in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Once it has loosened slightly, stir in the pistachios, salt and cayenne pepper. Cook for around three minutes, stirring frequently until the nuts are evenly coated.

4. Transfer the pistachios to a baking tray or plate lined with baking parchment. Use a fork to separate them into small clusters and leave to cool for about 10 minutes, or place them in the fridge to speed up the process.

5. Once cooled and crisp, roughly chop the pistachios and sprinkle them over the salad.

6. For the dressing, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard and honey until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity to suit your preference.

7. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.

Serving Suggestions:

This citrus salad is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or a simple quiche.

To elevate further, serve with a chilled glass of L.A Brewery Sparkling White Rose. The delicate elderflower and floral notes mirror the freshness of the mint and oranges, while the crisp acidity complements the creamy avocado and rich pistachios. If you prefer something a little drier, Sparkling Citrus Hops is another excellent choice.