Recipes

Citrus Mint Salad with Harissa

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 15 mins

| Cook Time: 0 mins

| Total Time: 15 mins

You may need: Harissa

Discover The Recipe

We're always seeking to create fresh recipes using seasonal ingredients with our handcrafted spice blends. This recipe for a sunshine-bright Citrus Mint Salad with Harissa is loaded with flavor and perfect for dreary winter days. Sliced celery and pistachios add a delightful crunch, while fresh goat cheese adds a subtle tanginess and earthy notes. Cool mint leaves contrast the subtle, spicy heat of Harissa, a North African staple made with smoked chilis and garlic that is made into a vinaigrette in this recipe.

Harissa is a fiery, aromatic paste that is a staple in Moroccan cuisine. Typically made of smoked chilis ground with spices, garlic, and oil, the result is a flavor-packed paste with a medium-high heat. Perfect for use as a marinade on meats, it’s also a seasoning in soups, stews / tagine, couscous, and used as a condiment. Harissa has seen a surge in popularity around the world as chefs have been using Harissa to add layers of aroma and heat to any number of dishes. Mix equal parts Harissa and oil and minced garlic to form a versatile paste that you can use to marinate meat. Or, try our Lemon Harissa Chicken recipe you can bake on a sheet pan for an easy one pan meal.

Ingredients

2 mandarin oranges (or clementines)
1 red grapefruit
1 blood orange (optional)
2 navel orange
1 stalk of celery, thinly sliced
1 tsp Piquant Post Harissa spice blend
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
pinch of salt (optional)
1 tsp rice vinegar (or apple cider or white wine vinegar)
1.5 tsp honey
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, picked and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup (~2 oz) fresh goat cheese (Chevre), crumbled
2 tbsp roasted, shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped

Notes

This Citrus Mint Salad with Harissa recipe has some prep to slice each citrus.

We've found a trick to speed up the process and cut more of the bitter pith (white rind) off the citrus. Slice each unpeeled citrus fruit (except mandarins, which you can peel and pull apart) into 1/2" thick rounds with a sharp knife. Then, lying the rounds flat, use the knife to cut off the peel and white pith of each slice (like cutting crust off bread).

Coarsely chop or smash the pistachios (with the back of a chef knife). You can also use walnuts or almonds.

Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don't sweat it if you don't have them.

Instructions

First, peel and pull apart the segments of mandarins (or clementines) and set aside. Next, with a sharp knife, slice each citrus fruit into 1/2" thick rounds (do this with the peel on as it's easier to cut off all the pith and rind with a knife). Lying the rounds flat, use the knife to cut off the peel and white pith of each slice. (like cutting crust off bread). Put in a medium salad bowl.

Slice the celery into thin slices and set aside with the citrus. Add the Harissa spice, oil, vinegar, salt and honey to a small bowl and briefly whisk until combined into a vinaigrette.

Add the Harissa vinaigrette to the citrus and celery in the bowl and gently toss the pieces to coat.

Serve citrus rounds on a platter and garnish with mint leaves, crumbled goat cheese, and pistachios.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Make this Citrus Mint Salad with Harissa vegan by omitting the goat cheese (or subbing in vegan cheese).
Harissa is extremely versatile and can be used anywhere you desire a bold heat and delicious flavor. Mix with oil into a paste for spreading or marinating.
Try our Harissa Spice blend as a dry rub on chicken, lamb, pork, or steak before grilling or roasting. Harissa and bbq grilling go together like PB & J.
Vegans, try out this yummy harissa veggie bowl. Make a harissa paste (no yogurt) using our recipe and then add in as called for in the veggie bowl recipe. Another vegan recipe you have to try is our Harissa Chickpea Burger!
Or, try our easy weeknight, one sheet pan Lemon Harissa Chicken recipe!
Also, try our Moroccan Lentil Carrot Soup recipe. Spice it up with a pinch of harissa!
Here’s a beef harissa stew recipe that looks like a great alternative. Use 2 tbsp of our Harissa Spice blend in place of all dried spices listed in their recipe. If you like seafood, try our Harissa and Beer Broiled Shrimp for an easy weeknight main dish.
Try this roasted vegetables with harissa recipe for another easy vegan meal. Make Harissa paste using our recipe (just the ingredient up to oil; no yogurt).
Here’s a few more quick and easy ideas to use the harissa: add harissa to mayo for a spicy sandwich spread; cook your rice in harissa for a glorious spice in your rice; add it to marinara sauce for a new take on pasta; sprinkle it on popcorn instead of salt and butter for a spicy crunch; garnish the rim of your homemade bloody mary to serve the hippest brunch in town.
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