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–+ servings
A fresh salad served in a white bowl, featuring black cherry tomatoes, chopped dates, spinach, arugula leaves, mandarin orange segments, and walnuts, all drizzled with a creamy lime, avocado, and cashew dressing. The bowl sits on a wooden board, accompanied by a silver fork. A small ramekin of extra dressing, a halved lime, and a glass bottle in the background. Cashew nuts are scattered on the wooden board.

Crunchy Walnut and Mandarin Salad with Cashew Avocado Lime Dressing

Crunchy Walnut and Mandarin Salad is a nutritious mix of greens, mandarin oranges, dates, cherry tomatoes, and walnuts. Topped with a creamy cashew avocado lime dressing, it's a sweet and tangy delight ready in 5 minutes.
by Julie Anne
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
prep time is to pre-soak the nuts 0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course appetizer, Lunch, Salads, side dish
Cuisine International, Mediterranean
Servings 2
Calories 362 kcal

Equipment

Blender
1 Blender
1 Serving dish
Serving spoons

Ingredients   

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados – Ensure they are soft for a creamy texture.
  • Juice of 1 ½ limes – Preferably freshly squeezed. 4 tablespoons approximately
  • 1 ½ cups A handful of fresh arugula handful
  • 1 ½ cups A handful of baby spinach leaves handful
  • 1-2 seedless mandarin oranges – Peeled and segmented.
  • ⅓ cup walnuts – Preferably pre-soaked for 30 minutes. 50 grams
  • 4 Medjool dates – Pitted and sliced into quarters.
  • 10 -15 Black cherry tomatoes – cut in halves

Cashew Avocado Lime Dressing

  • 2 ripe avocados – Pitted and ensure they are soft for a creamy texture.
  • Juice of 1 ½ limes – Preferably freshly squeezed for optimal flavor. 4 tablespoons
  • ⅔ cup raw cashew nuts – Pre-soaked for a creamy dressing. ⅔ of a cup 100 grams
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – Adds richness and depth.
  • 3 tablespoons of cold water and 3-5 tbsp of water – depending on desired texture

Watch me Make it (Video)

Instructions  

  • Prepare the Crunchy Walnut and Mandarin Salad:
  • Pre-soak the walnuts in warm water for 30 minutes to soften them. This helps remove any bitterness and enhances their texture. Once soaked, drain and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
  • Prepare the base of the salad by placing fresh arugula and baby spinach leaves in a large serving bowl. Arrange them evenly for decoration.
  • Slice the Medjool dates into quarters lengthwise. Since they have a naturally sticky and caramel-like texture, cutting them this way allows them to distribute well throughout the salad and each piece is seen with a hole hole in the center.
  • Peel and segment the mandarins, ensuring there are no seeds. Add them to the salad.
  • Slice the black cherry tomatoes in half and toss them into the mix. Their sweetness adds flavor.
  • Drizzle the dressing generously over the salad and toss gently with tongs or stir with serving sppons to evenly coat the salad. (see below)

Prepare the Cashew Avocado Lime Dressing

  • Prepare the Cashew Avocado Lime Dressing
  • Pre-soak the cashews for twenty minutes or longer.
  • Blend the cashews, ripe avocados, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a food processor or blender.
  • Add water gradually while blending until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more lime juice for tanginess or salt to enhance flavor.

Serving Suggestion

  • Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy as a light meal or a side dish to complement your main course.

Notes & Suggestions

The salad and cashew dressing are for two servings, but the nutrition is calculated approximately per one serving of the combined salad and dressing.
Calories are per serving
See The 10 Best and Easiest Ways to Eat Raw Spinach
Preparation Tips and Storage
• Make the dressing ahead - Mix it up four days before and store it in the fridge. Remove it an hour before serving for the best consistency.
• Store leftovers properly - Keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge, but note that the greens will wilt quickly if already dressed.
 
Substitution Ideas
Nuts - Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, Brazil, or hazelnuts if you prefer a different crunch.
• Mandarin oranges - Try blood oranges, clementines, or even fresh mango slices.
• Black cherry tomatoes - Replace them with grape tomatoes, heirloom cherry tomatoes, or even pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and sweetness.
• Medjool dates - Use dried figs, golden raisins, or chopped apricots for a similar natural sweetness.
• Avocados - Substitute with silken tofu or soaked sunflower seeds for a creamy, dairy-free dressing alternative.
• Cashew nuts in the dressing - Swap with macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or sunflower seeds if needed.
• Aquafaba - Replace water with aquafaba for a creamier and fluffier consistency.
 
More spring savory recipes you might like to try

Nutrition Profile

Nutrition
Crunchy Walnut and Mandarin Salad with Cashew Avocado Lime Dressing
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
362
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.6
g
10
%
Trans Fat
 
16
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
12
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2.3
g
Carbohydrates
 
54
g
18
%
Fiber
 
8
g
33
%
Sugar
 
43
g
48
%
Protein
 
7.1
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
3.596
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
40
mg
48
%
Calcium
 
179
mg
18
%
Iron
 
2.5
mg
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated automatically per serving. Values may vary depending on ingredients used and serving size. Adjust calculations accordingly if changes are made.

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