Sparkling triple citrus celery salad

Like eating sunshine

Hello, and welcome to today’s Stories from Catbird Cottage! It has been remarkably cold this week. I’ve burnt more wood for the nightly fire than usual - naturally, making the kitties very happy - though the heat hasn’t emanated as it normally has. In some ways I guess that’s okay, as I’ve occupied a smaller orbit with a week home solo. I buzz between work in the kitchen, writing at the desk, or warming my toes in front of the fire. It is small but great - and sooo productive - and, the cherry on each waning day is to be warmed by the fire.

A follower on Instagram recently shared that New Orleans received 10” of snow… I was gobsmacked. After a quick google search I discovered many areas in the deep south also experiencing unusually low temps. This anomaly is charged with the repercussions of our climate in crisis, and I feel for y’all. Even though by many appearances, people took to the snowfall with snowboards and improvised sleds, relishing in the surreal moment…!

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Before I learned of the freak weather in the south I was considering creating a warming, hearty soup for this week’s newsletter. Then I realized the fridge contained a dazzling array of leftovers from two special dinners I put on last week. So I pivoted and developed this dynamite salad. I’m in love with its ease and brightness, and I think you’ll love it, too. Just look at all those juicy-zingy-crunchy bits :-)

I know technically this salad isn’t warm, but it IS like eating sunshine. It is also life-giving in its bright flavors and terrific crunchiness. And… there will always be more soup. If you need soup pronto, I got you: try this, this, or this. They’re all nourishing, will soothe, and will warm you from the inside, out.

Without further ado, let’s get into this triple citrus salad!

Sparkling triple citrus celery salad

It comes together in less than 15 minutes and delivers a zippy brightness that will restore your faith in warmer days. It will also bring a smile to your face, a value which can’t be overstated. There are navel orange wheels and rosy cara cara sûpremes. The third? It arrives in the form of preserved lemons, finely chopped into the vinaigrette and intermingling with grain mustard. Salad dressings are a genius way to incorporate the salty hit of preserved lemons (which also keep forever once they’re made), and in this instance, delivers greater complexity. This salad would probably be equally good with the addition of grapefruit, and no question you may substitute blood oranges, so feel free to experiment once you give this a go...

Makes enough for 2

vinaigrette
2 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp grain mustard
½ small preserved lemon, both flesh and skin, finely chopped (about 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp)
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp finely snipped chives
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Generous freshly ground black pepper (15 or so turns)

salad
2 stalks celery (and their leaves, if they’re in good condition), thinly sliced
1 navel orange, skin and white pith removed and sliced into ¼” wheels
1 Cara Cara orange, skin and white pith removed and sliced into sûpremes*
¼ cup fresh mint leaves, torn
⅓ cup pomegranate arils
1 tbsp thinly sliced red onion
Aleppo chili flakes, for sprinkling
Flaky salt, for sprinkling

*Reserve any citrus juices from slicing the navel and cara cara and add to the salad before tossing.

Add all vinaigrette ingredients to a jar with a lid. Shake until emulsified, then taste. Adjust seasoning as needed. This step can be done up to 5 days in advance, stored in the refrigerator. Allow it to come to room temperature 1 hour prior to using. You will have more vinaigrette than what is needed, perfect for more salads, later.

In a mixing bowl, combine the celery, pomegranate, navel and cara cara oranges, mint, red onion, and a generous pinch of Aleppo chili flakes. Add 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Taste and add more as needed.

Either transfer to a serving platter or serve straight from the bowl, finishing with a scatter of flaky salt and more Aleppo chili flakes. Ta-da!

As always I’d love to hear how you enjoy this, so thanks for ♥️ it and sharing any thoughts in the comments. Stay cozy!!

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