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This is an amazing salad. I made it just as written, and ate all 4 servings myself! I am a huge fan of cilantro, so this dressing made me very happy!
Lisa
For the last hour I’ve been listening to One Direction.
Excuse me, JAMMING to One Direction.
Why am I susceptible to the music of tween girls? EEEEE. I have a crush on all pop music ever. Cause it would be totally normal that my adult ears would gravitate towards songs with little to no meaning but a get-up-and-move-right-now beat, right? It sounds like candy in my ears.
What kind of a person adoringly eats a beautiful Moroccan Salad with dates, pistachios, bulgur, spinach, oranges, and creamy homemade Cilantro Orange Dressing while listening to a boy band sing about dancing all night? Stop looking at me like that.
I blame the one and only Backstreet Boys for luring me into the pop music scene as a vulnerable 6th grader. If mirrors could talk, mine would have years of awkward middle school hairbrush microphone type stories to tell. Because I Want It Thaaaaat Way. ā« N’Sync had me for a while back in the day, and Justin T, of course, has me still. One Republic can turn my day around in three seconds flat. I have Taylor Swift’s latest album basically memorized, and I may or may not have been at one time a Belieber. Is this getting too personal?
The good news is that I now enjoy some nice acoustic adult-ish covers of my favorite bubblegum pop songs thanks to bands like Boyce Avenue and Kina Grannis. Thank you, mature musicians who appreciate pop music, for supporting my addiction.
Now that we have that important stuff the way, let’s talk salad. I’ve had this salad for 4 out of the last 6 meals. This salad doesn’t mess around, friends.
Sweet, lovey salad. I want to SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS. I think I like it better than any other salad I’ve made this year. Even the Kale, Pomegranate, and Wild Rice Salad. I KNOW – I loved that one too but this one just has a zing that has me weak in the knees. And Bjork, too. *fist bump*
Please take a moment to focus on this: Cilantro Orange Dressing. I literally put the whole (peeled) orange in the food processor and zing! Creamy, wonderful, healthy, flavorful dressing. A handful of fresh cilantro or mint or both, and some vinegar and oil to boot, and this wins dressing of the year award.
The bulgur, dates, pistachios, oranges, and spinach are a color + texture power combo that will make your body feel happy. Nutrition, yo.
Moroccan Salad with Orange Cilantro Dressing
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Moroccan Salad with Cilantro Orange Dressing is packed full of yummy flavors. Pistachios, dates, bulgur, spinach, oranges.
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1/2 cup bulgur, uncooked
- 1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1 orange, peeled and cut into sections
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
For the dressing
- 1 orange, peeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
- 2 tablespoons water to adjust consistency
Instructions
- Cook the bulgur according to package directions, adding the dates and salt just at the end of the cooking time. This helps soften the dates a bit and gives the bulgur good flavor. Cool the bulgur for 20-30 minutes for a cold salad.
- In a food processor, combine all the dressing ingredients except the cilantro. Puree until smooth, removing any pieces of orange that can’t be broken down any further. Add the cilantro to the smooth mixture, pulse a few times, and set aside.
- Toss the cooled bulgur and dates mixture with the other salad ingredients. Drizzle or toss with the dressing. Serve immediately.
Notes
I’ve also used mint in place of cilantro and it’s deeelish.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Keywords: moroccan salad, orange cilantro dressing, bulgur salad
Three days to the weekend. Mwah.
Hi! I know this is an old post, but: do you think raisins would be good with this one salad as well as dates? Iām just not a big fan of dates.
Thank u x
Raisins would be great!
Huge hit- thank you!
If you like dessert salad this is the salad for you. It was way sweeter than expected but then again I guess with oranges, dates and orange cilantro dressing I should have expected it to be sweet. Good flavor but too sweet for even my sweet tooth.
Very tasty. Not for people that do not care for sweet recipes. Loved it, so flavorful. Had it with dinner, then took it for lunch the next day.
Hi, I was just wondering if the last photo shows one serving? Or more than that. Thank you
Hi Ebony! It shows about 1 serving.
I made this for dinner tonight and I really enjoyed it. I loved how different it was and the dressing is a keeper. Changes I made to accommodate what I had: pepitas for the pistachios, farro for the bulgar. Added Moroccan Shrimp (http://www.ateaspoonofhappiness.com/sweet-and-spicy-moroccan-shrimp/) and a side of flat bread and it was a great meal.
made this last night to rave reviews. i added a fuyu persimmon as well to bring it more into fall and it worked brilliantly. i served it with this: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/baked-penne-lamb-eggplant.html and the balance was phenomenal. i’m wondering about using quinoa instead of bulgur for a more complete entree option…i can’t think of a good protein to put directly into the salad.
Persimmon! Classy! I love it.
This salad was awesome! I used rice instead of bulgur and thought even cauliflower rice would be nice too to make it paleo. I also served it with Kristen Raw’s Orange Masala Roasted Chicken….sooooo gooood! Thanks for sharing this recipe š
PS I’m taking leftovers to my grandma’s for dinner tomorrow and she’s going to feel so healthy! Lol!
That chicken sounds delish! Glad you liked it Brooke!
OOh, I love that you include the nutritional information with your recipe! I only just found your blog, and I love it!
-Sarah
Thanks Sarah!
Just made the dressing! I am so excited to use it on my salads this week – I also bought some pre washed salad (which I normally don’t) – so this week, I’m livin’ on easy street!
Very tasty- tried some and I fully approve and appreciate this recipe! Thank you, Lindsay!
PS- I should get some Salt of the Earth to you- let me know if you are interested =)
I have never heard of that! I’ll have to look it up.
– it is so tasty. It tastes a little caramel-y because of the coconut sugar. Yumyum =)
BSB- all the way. They will always have such a special place in my heart! (They’d never break it!)
This is an amazing salad. I made it just as written, and ate all 4 servings myself! I am a huge fan of cilantro, so this dressing made me very happy!
This is seriously my favorite salad of the year, so I’m so glad that you liked it too! it’s a little more unusual but always makes me happy when people try these recipes. š
This was just lovely! I made this for a potluck and added a little bit of cumin and paprika to the dressing. Thanks!
Glad to hear it Kate! Good idea with the spices.
Lindsay, I love it when you post recipes I can make with my minimal desert-life ingredients. Almost as much as I love teen pop! I may or may not have been listening to Story of My Life on repeat this week, just saying.
I long for the days of American bacon, but when I see something like this, it almost makes me think good food can be made without it. Definitely going to try this one. Thanks!
This salad looks delicious! So incredibly healthy, too. Looooved N’Sync and Backstreets Boys as a teen!!
Wurd.
I was so jealous that my cousin saw the Backstreet Boys live a month or so ago at Englands Xfactor. I’m also a big fan of Five…… I have to say, after you’ve gotten me addicted to your brussel sprout salad, this one may not have a chance, but I will check if I can rustle up some spinach at the supermarket here in Munich soon to try this one out.
I had a lot of fun reading this post. And the comments too! I’m just feeling too old right now. You guys are talking about Backstreet Boys and I was a huge fan of New Kids on the Block. And I’m also “using” my daughter as an excuse to listen to One Direction š
Lovely recipe! I’ll definitely try it at home!!
Looks fresh, healthy and delicious – perfect before all that Christmas food!
The “ingredients” picture is so pretty! I think I’ll make the dressing as you recommend, omit the bulgur, and serve it create- your-own style (with the ingredients separated) for my kids. They are going to love the dates!
Oh my, this looks delish!
And there’s no shame in loving boy bands! I secretly still love and listen to Miley Cyrus’ song The Climb. When something’s good, it’s good! Even if it made by an extremely obnoxious young woman.
OMG. This looks so yummy! I wish someone could make it for me Right. Now. Because lately, I’m so lazy. I will only eat things as they already are. Coldcuts. Cheese. Chocolate bread. Oops! Did I say that? Hmmm. I need salad + a salad chef in my life. Pronto.
Yum! I absolutely love citrus-y salad dressings! So healthy and good!
I love this combination of flavors and the fact that dates are involved, count. me. in!
Holy healthy batman!!! looks soooo good
Ha ha. If it’s any consolation, you’re not the only one.
I love a bit of One Direction myself (they’re so cute, especially Harry, and yes I know them all by name), under the pretext of doing it for my 4yo daughter. Kids are a great excuse for doing all kinds of embarrassing things.
Dance away, I say š
I’m also a bit of a fan of Kina, and have you seen Sam Tsui? And normally I’d run a mile if you played classical music, but I love The Piano Guys – they have so much fun with their music and they’ve managed to make classical music I enjoy listening (and cooking) to.
P.S. Nice salad! Might just have to try this one.
Hey, I just wanted to say you’ve been a huge inspiration and started following you. I found you through your blog income posts, which is very informative. I’m just a poor medical student so this is only a hobby, but it’s fun to see the potential in food blogging. Thanks!