MIXED GREENS WITH BACON & CRANBERRIES

Mixed Greens with Bacon & Cranberries image

When my holiday menu calls for a green salad, I rely on this one loaded with crumbled bacon, dried cranberries and blue cheese. The homemade vinaigrette is full of zesty flavor.-Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
4 cups fresh arugula or baby spinach
4 cups spring mix salad greens
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
6 thick-sliced peppered bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
VINAIGRETTE:
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1-1/2 teaspoons orange juice
1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

In a small saucepan, bring orange juice to a boil; remove from heat. Stir in cranberries; let stand 5 minutes. Drain, discarding remaining juice or saving for another use., In a large bowl, combine arugula and salad greens; top with cheese, bacon and cranberries. In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette ingredients. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 375mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.