May 25, 2020

Blueberry Grapefruit Spinach Salad

This easy Blueberry Grapefruit Spinach Salad is perfect for summer cookouts and easy family dinners. Besides being well-rounded and healthy, making this salad is one of the best ways to use the season’s delicious fruits and veggies. With these vibrant colors, this salad is pretty to serve and it goes perfectly with any meal. It’s summer in a bow. ♡

Do you know what are the best recipes? In my view, those are the ones that are simple in nature and you most likely have the ingredients on hand already. Well this salad is definitely one of those recipes and the cool thing is that you can upgrade it easily if you want to. Of course, no one’s pantry is the same, but having very basic fruits and vegetables should be sufficient here.

I just LOVE that the blueberry season is here. I love eating blueberries for dessert but I also love how they go with muffins, cakes, and even salads.

I always buy more than a few packs of blueberries, and I actually had to try very hard to save some for this fresh salad. But honestly, the candied walnuts in this recipe are what makes it perfect. They add a layer of sweetness (oh, and you should save some of those candied walnuts for later as they are awesome), and you get the complete taste by finishing it off with a dressing of your choice. Personally, I prefer to go with poppy seed dressing for this one. It won’t disappoint, I promise.

How to Make Candied Walnuts

You are just going to LOVE this super easy candied walnuts recipe!

Walnuts – I usually break the walnuts into smaller pieces for candying them, but it is a personal choice, some people like bigger walnuts and they love them whole.

Prepare a parchment paper – Before you actually candy the walnuts you need to be ready with a place to store them immediately after they are coated. Since they will be hot you need to put them on some kind of pan or large dish but make sure to cover it with a parchment paper (it’s easier to clean it that way if any sugar gets on it).

Sugar – You need it to sugarcoat the walnuts

Use a non-stick skillet – Add butter and sugar in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter, stirring occasionally.

Spices – Add the walnuts, salt, and maybe cinnamon (your call). Stir so the walnuts are coated in the sugar mixture.

Cook – Continue to cook and stir frequently until the sugar is fully melted and the walnuts are coated (this should take no more than 4-5 minutes).

Let them cool down – When the walnuts are coated you need to be quick – you don’t want the sugar to burn. Move the candied walnuts to the prepared parchment paper and make sure the nuts don’t stack in clumps. Let them cool until the candy hardens.