Cranberry Spinach Salad with Avocado

There is one special restaurant my husband and I try to get to once a year. And when we do, we definitely order: Cranberry and Walnut Greens. The ingredients include baby greens, sun dried cranberries, spicy walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette and amablu cheese. Amablu cheese is a local creation. It is the first blue cheese made and marketed nationally here in America –  and it’s cave-aged!  

 
But the star of that salad is the cranberry. And did you know all these fun facts about the little cranberry?
• Scientists have shown that flavonoids give fruits, like cranberries, and vegetables most of their antioxidant properties and that a flavonoid-rich diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?
• Drinking 8–16 oz. of 27% original, low- or no-calorie cranberry juice cocktail each day is recommended to maintain urinary tract health and prevent urinary tract infections?
• Dried cranberries are a good source of fiber?
• ¼ cup dried cranberries is a serving and equal to ½ cup of fresh fruit?

Cranberry Spinach Salad with Avocado 2

Here are some fun salad combinations that include cranberries. A must-have ingredient for any summer salad.
• Dried cranberries, garbanzo beans and carrots
• Dried cranberries, orange slices and chopped broccoli
• Dried cranberries, cucumbers and feta cheese
• Dried cranberries, green peppers and black beans
• Dried cranberries, black beans and corn kernels
• Dried cranberries, chopped pears and celery

 
And thank you the The Cranberry Institute for a few of the ingredients in this recipe along with the fun facts!

Cranberry Spinach Salad with Avocado

Cranberry Spinach Salad with Avocado

Cranberry Institute
Course Salad

Ingredients
  

Dressing Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp. cranberry juice
  • 2 Tbsp. dried cranberries
  • 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp.  Dijon mustard
  • 6 Tbsp. canola oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Salad Ingredients

  • 3 1/3 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 small head of frisée lettuce
  • 1  ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Place cranberry juice and dried cranberries in a small pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Stir in vinegar and Dijon mustard. Gradually whisk in canola oil so the mixture becomes a dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Rinse spinach and frisée; spin dry. Remove thick stems and cut larger leaves into bite-size pieces. Add avocado and onion slices.
  • Gently toss salad ingredients with the dressing and serve.

Notes

A quick and easy way to mix up the dressing is to use a Mason Jar, just put a lid on it and shake.

3 Comments

  1. Betsy Ramirez, MEd, RDN @SupermarketNutrition on July 25, 2014 at 1:38 am

    Beautiful pictures, Jen! I could dive right in!

    • Jen on July 25, 2014 at 7:40 am

      Thanks Betsy! Trying my best! A great summer salad with grilled pizza.

  2. Avocado Benefits for Women - Midwest Goodness on August 10, 2023 at 7:02 am

    […] You can even try them in this Cranberry Spinach Salad with Avocado! […]

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