We went to Reno last Weekend to visit some good friends. It was Valentine’s weekend so I knew we would be making a nice dinner for the guys. I wanted to make this salad but I was hoping to use Blood Oranges with their beautiful deep red color. But after visiting the grocery store, I knew that wasn’t going to be the case. So when I spotted the Cara Cara oranges next to the “other” navel oranges, I wasn’t too disappointed. You see, Cara Cara oranges is what the original recipe called.
This is just like a Caprese Salad except it uses orange slices instead of tomatoes in the salad, and orange juice in the vinaigrette. It’s quick and simple to put together, and delicious with it’s fresh and bold flavors.
The original recipe made stacks with 3 orange slices, 3 fresh mozzarella medallions, and 3 basil leaves with the vinaigrette poured over the top. It made a beautiful presentation but this salad was serving four people and I wanted it more family style. I also served it on a bed of spinach. If you can’t find the Cara Cara oranges, your normal navel oranges will work just as well.
Here’s a little information on the Cara Cara Orange straight from the Sunkiss website.
Cara Cara Oranges
Cara Cara oranges, a type of navel grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley, are available January through April. Their outward appearance is similar to other navels, but their interior is a distinctive pinkish red and has an exceptionally sweet flavor with a tangy cranberry-like zing. Cara Caras are a rich source of Vitamins A and C, fiber and Lycopene. A perfect snack served as wedges, they’re also a colorful addition to beverages or squeezed into a vinaigrette salad dressing.
I’m linking this Orange and Mozzarella Salad up to The Side Dish Showdown hosted by Reeni over at Cinnamon and Spice and Everything Nice. Check out all the other great recipes and lets give side dishes the respect they deserve!
Recipe adapted from Sunkist
- 4 Cara Cara oranges
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 12 1/4 inch slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- fresh ground black pepper
Peel oranges and slice out three 1/4 inch horizontal slices from the center of each orange. Lightly sear the slices in a hot pan or on a grill.
Place spinach on a platter. Arrange in circular pattern starting with an orange slice. then a mozzarella slice and a finally a basil leaf. Repeat until all the slices are arranged. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper and to taste.
To make Vinaigrette
Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- salt and pepper
Combine orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl and whisk together.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh yum! I love trying new salads and this one sounds perfect! Looks delish!
Oh my goodness Megan, I can totally imagine eating this right now! I love it!
Don’t tell anyone but I think I may prefer this to the usual tomatoes
Shhh!
This salad sounds delightful and the vinaigrette? To die for! I’d put that on a straight-up spinach salad, too!
So fresh and gorgeous! I’ve been enjoying Cara Cara oranges a lot lately, since I can’t find any blood oranges. Love this idea!
What a beautiful salad! I haven’t had a Cara Cara orange. I’ll have to look for them at the market.
That looks fascinating! I’ve never heard of oranges in a salad.
What a beautiful salad. LOVE It!
Ok, for someone who doesn’t like veggies, this salad makes my heart swell. You have me in mind, right?
Fruit + cheese = my mecca.
What a great idea! I recently bought a bag of cara cara oranges and loved them – but I ate them all plain and didn’t think to do something like this with them. Yum!
What a cool twist on the traditional caprese salad. I’d love to give this a try. It’s pretty with the oranges too.
This is an awesome twist on the original caprese (and better for me since I don’t like tomatoes)!! It looks beautiful Megan!
Oh that’s so pretty!! How beautiful it would be on a table!!
What a neat idea! I thought it was a regular Caprese salad until I took a closer look.
Of course, I should have paid more attention to the title (duh!).
Gorgeous! I like the oranges in combination with mozzarella!
Very pretty presentation – great spin on an old favourite!
I love this Megan! A delicious little flavor twist with oranges. Thanks so much for sending it to the Showdown!
I make a similar salad using pink grapefruit…love it! Thanks for sharing.
What a unique salad – it sounds so refreshing!
I love the salad and I love the vinegarette. Too. We don’t ge these oranges here, but I’m going to make the dressing soon!
mmm great work for the side dish show down!
Love how this looks like a beautiful wreath. I’m sure it tasted wonderful.
This is absolutely lovely, its a wonderful take on the caprese salad.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
*kisses* HH
How perfect for winter when there are absolutely NO ripe tomatoes to be found and PLENTY of delicious citrus. Delicious.