Blood oranges are currently in season and they are the perfect blend of juicy, sweet and tart. And their color, Oh my! Combine them with a sweet navel orange, spice them with a homemade Masala mixture and you have a visual delight. The addition of onions, which mellow out when combined with the oranges, is a simply harmonious flavor sensation in this Spiced Orange Salad.
This refreshing orange and onion creation is from Kausar Ahmed, author of The Karachi Kitchen, Classic and Contemporary Flavors of Pakistan. In it, Kausar shares the beloved and flavorful dishes of her home country, which are so flavorful, and range from mild to spicy, so there is something for every palate.
Kausar Ahmed – author of The Karachi Kitchen
I recently met Kausar at a Melissa’s Produce media luncheon. She talked about her childhood in Pakistan and her fond memories around family and food. Kausar believes food connects people and she invites you to use the recipes in her book to connect and celebrate with the important people in your life.
I followed her advice and invited my mother to join me at the event; we both loved all of the dishes, and watching the demo of Kausar’s Murgh Hara Masala (Green Chicken).
Here are a few of the flavor-packed recipes we tasted from The Karachi Kitchen.
Aaloo Chat (Potato Salad) from The Karachi Kitchen
This perfectly spiced potato salad is topped with tortilla chips, giving it a surprising crunch.
Fried Okra Chips from The Karachi Kitchen
These were my favorite, full of flavor and none of the “slime” that gives okra a bad rap.
Dum Kay Pasanday (Masala-Rubbed Roast Beef Tenderloin)
This boldly flavored beef dish is a tender and fragrant dry stew. It almost melted in your mouth. I think it is the best beef tenderloin I have ever had.
Gajar Ka Halwa (carrot-based sweet dessert pudding) from The Karachi Kitchen
We both loved this traditional Pakistani carrot pudding. The recipe in the book was handed down from Kausar’s great grandmother, and it sings with the traditional flavors of Pakistan.
Spiced Orange Salad from The Karachi Kitchen
But it was really this Spiced Orange Salad that captured my attention and tastebuds. Whether you stack it like I did or put in a bowl for a crowd, this recipe will stop everyone in their tracks, and they’ll beg for more.
Today’s Recipe: Spiced Orange Salad
Blood oranges are in season November – March so be on the lookout for them. Even if you can’t find them any sweet orange will work.
If you are going to stack this salad, mix the dressing in a big bowl and add oranges to coat. Stack the oranges and springs the onions, mint and walnuts on top. This dish serves four people when stacked, and six when served in a bowl.
This gorgeous salad is a work of art and a treat for your tastebuds… no matter how you serve it.
Spiced Orange Salad
This spicy yet sweet version of orange salad is prepared with homemade Masala. It's colorful, refreshing, and delicious. The sharpness of the onions mellows out when combined with the oranges. It's also an excellent accompaniment to hot stews or spiced dishes.
Ingredients
Spiced Orange Salad
- 6 large oranges Blood oranges and/or navel oranges
- 4 to 6 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Masala Spice Blend or to taste
- 1 red onion peeled and sliced into rings or slivers
- ½ cup unsalted walnuts red walnuts if possible
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves slivered
Masala Spice Blend
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Spiced Orange Salad
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With a small, sharp knife, cut, peel, and remove white membrane from oranges. Slice the oranges crosswise ⅛- to ¼-inch thick and discard seeds.
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To make the dressing, mix vinegar, olive oil, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir in the Masala Spice Blend and mix well.
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In a wide, shallow bowl, gently mix orange slices and onions. Pour in dressing and mix gently. Scatter walnuts and mint leaves. Spoon salad onto plates and serve with extra dressing.
Masala Spice Blend
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Dry-roast all ingredients on the stove on low hear for about 2 minutes, until light golden-brown. Cool and grind the mixture into a fine powder with a food processor. Store spice blend in a jar and keep in a cool, dry place. Use for cooking as needed.
Recipe Notes
Salad: Active time: 20 minutes I Total time: 20 minutes I Serves 6
Masala Spice Blend: Active time 10 minutes | Total time:10 minutes
To learn more about Kausar:
Web: www.kausarahmed.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kitchencraftstudios
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thekarachikitchen
Spiced Orange Salad is just one of many flavor-packed recipes in The Karachi Kitchen. I look forward to cooking more.
…and then, she paused for thought.
Aw, your mother is a doll! So glad she can go with you to this kind of cooking event! The tomato salad is gorgeous, but mostly I’m impressed with all of the seasoning.
The seasonings is what makes this simple orange salad so delicious. Hope you enjoy it!
That’s a lovely citrus salad. The colours and flavours are amazing. Keep those healthy and delicious recipes coming!
Thanks Angie, it is really a delicious and simple salad.
Nice, love the photos, including your Mom! 🙂 Looks so tasty, unfortunately I can’t eat grapefruit as it conflicts with cholesterol meds. 🙁 Sad because I love them. Mooooooooo.
The good news is there isn’t any grapefruit in this recipe… just oranges. I do hope you give it a try.
The orange salad just looks scrumptious and I’m always on the lookout for a new salad or new veggie dish! I can not wait to try this salad! Have a feeling it will be a favorite! Thanks for sharing Cath! As always… your mom is just a doll!
Thanks Cheri, I think you will really enjoy this spiced salad.
Cathy, you chose such a gorgeous recipe to replicate from the book. It’s stunning and I wish I could have a bit! Lovely pic of your and your mom. 🙂 ~Valentina xo
Valentina I was inspired by when you stacked an orange salad and remembered how pretty it is served this way. The spices that are added really make the oranges sing.
Gorgeous presentation, Cathy. I missed another great event at Melissa’s, darn it. The Karachi Kitchen looks like a fabulous cookbook!
Thanks Christina. It was a delicious event and I love this cookbook. We miss you.
It looks so festive all stacked up like that. GREG
Thanks Greg, it is fun to create.
Orange salad looks so yummy! How do you eat it? Really how do you gracefully eat that stack of oranges? Cut it up?
Very carefully. LOL. You can’t eat it gracefully, but you can eat it with grace!