Take-out Tuesday, Holiday Salad with Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Croutons
This sweet and savory salad is truly a holiday celebration in a bowl!
Fresh strawberries, juicy oranges, buttery almonds
on a bed of fresh spinach and romaine lettuce
all topped with bacon wrapped asparagus “croutons”
The fresh greens and red berries make this salad
perfect for Christmas or any festive celebration
I used seasonal blood oranges,
heavenly flavor and once peeled
they are more of a cranberry color than orange
A big batch of buttery almonds can be made in 5 minutes
and stored in a jar for more salad and vegetable toppings
The sweet and salty buttery almonds
are the perfect contrast to the sweet fruit in the salad
To make this salad sing “special occasion,”
wrap fresh asparagus spears with bacon
About 30 minutes in the oven
and these spears are ready for snacking or topping your salad
I snipped them into 1 inch pieces with kitchen scissors
and added them to the salad bowl
I recommend using a light vinaigrette dressing,
like this simple homemade Maple Mustard
or Panera’s Fuji Apple {available at Publix and many grocery stores]
This salad is a great side dish with grilled meats or BBQ
We enjoyed it with BBQ Ribs and
Triple Cheese Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Holiday Salad with Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Croutons
Ingredients
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 3 cups chopped romaine leaves
- 1 blood orange, or navel orange or clementine peeled and diced
- 5 large fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/2 cup buttery almonds* or more to taste reserve the rest of almonds for another use
- light vinaigrette dressing to taste
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Croutons or Appetizer
- 8 fresh asparagus spears
- 4 thick slices applewood smoked bacon or other hearty bacon cut in 1/2
Buttery Almonds
- 2 cups sliced almonds
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt
Optional Ingredients
- diced cooked chicken or turkey
- bleu cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Tear spinach and put it in a large salad bowl with romaine.
- Add strawberries, oranges and almonds
- Refrigerate until serving time and make asparagus croutons
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Croutons or Appetizer
- Break off tough ends of asparagus spears
- wrap each asparagus spear with 1/2 slice bacon, stretching bacon to fit
- Place spears on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes until bacon is crisp
- Drain on paper towels. Cut asparagus into 1 inch pieces with kitchen scissors for croutons or serve whole as an appetizer
- Add asparagus croutons to salad, drizzle with vinaigrette to taste and toss right before serving
Buttery Almonds
- Melt butter in skillet with olive oil over medium heat
- Add almonds and sprinkle with brown sugar and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes until nuts just begin to caramelize, watching carefully so they don't burn.
- Cool on a piece of parchment paper or on a plate. Store in a covered jar
Notes
Enjoy!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday Creatively Crafty
Thursday Favorite Things Creative Cumpulsions Meal Plan Monday
Comments
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Yummy!!
thank you Martha!
Jenna, this looks most delicious! I’m getting tired of all the heavy foods that we tend to make this time of year. This sounds much lighter and a perfect change from the ordinary. Thanks for sharing! Happy Tuesday!
thank you Shannon, there is nothing better than a refreshing salad!
This looks so lovely!
thank you Dorothy!
Lots f terrific ideas here, Jenna — but my keeper is doing all the almonds at once and keeping them for the salads and all. I don’t know why I never thought of that!
Thanks Jeanie, I love to have a stash of prepared nuts on hand for salads and vegetables {they’re good for snacking too!}
This looks scrumptious! I never am lost for words when I visit you except to say… Everything looks scrumptious when you share your recipes!
I need to add asparagus to my grocery list!
Thank you always my friend!
Merry Tuesday!
Oh this salad look so good! I am adding all the ingredients to my shopping list. The meal you served looks delicious, I may copy this for one evening when the family is here. Love your menus and recipes!
Thanks so much Emily! I hope you enjoy the salad!
Jenna, this salad is perfect for something different during the holidays. The bacon wrapped asparagus is a great idea for a salad, I never would have thought of that. I hope you are staying warm and cozy on these cool days.
Thank you Pam, the bacon wrapped asparagus is an unexpected surprise!
OMG, Jenna, my mouth started to water as I was reading this recipe! Absolutely cannot wait to try it! Happy soon-to-be Holidays!!
Thank you Rosie, it’s simple but delightful!
Oh Yummmm! I can’t wait to try this one! Ditto what Rosie said!! 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks Barbara!
what a special festive little salad this is and love those artichokes I think bacon makes everything better
come see what we shared at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
thank you Angie!
I like salads with fruits and nuts but I’ve never thought about the asparagus angle. Wrapped with bacon, how can that be anything but good!
Thank you, the asparagus is a fun touch!
Such a festive salad and tasty too Jenna! Bacon makes everything better 🙂 ♥
Thanks Mary, a fun salad to make {and eat!}
What a pretty salad and sounds so tasty. Pinning! 😋 Thanks Jenna and happy belated birthday! Mine is coming up on the 24th! 🌲🌲🌲
Oh that’s right, Happy Birthday Cyndi!!
What a refreshing menu!
Your fresh fruits and the bacon wrapped asparagus make this salad extra special.