Well, we’ve arrived at those dog days of summer. The days are hot and nights aren’t much cooler. Though the hours of sunlight are decreasing, we’re still in full summer mode, though starting to look ahead to the cooler days of autumn, now just around the corner. During these hot sticky days, we really prefer to not be stuck in the kitchen slaving away over a boiling pot or raging oven. Instead, we’d rather whip up quick and easy bites that don’t require much heat, and allow us to spend more time enjoying it all out on the patio.

This quick and easy Orange Salad fits all of our summer cooking qualifications. Few ingredients, preparation in 30 minutes or less, easy to find ingredients, and a simple preparation that results in an elegant (and delicious!) final dish. The whole thing is garnished with our stunning Pyramid Salt. This is seriously special stuff – whole crystals of crispy pure saline, accented with hints of complex minerality. It hails from Cyprus Greece. Officially called the Republic of Cyprus, it is an island country in the Eater Mediterranean. The third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean. Cyprus is a beautiful place, and the art of making salt there dates back centuries. Early Cypriots would use the newly formed sea salt to preserve various meats, fish, and even vegetables. One popular dish from the area involves cooking a whole fish – packed entirely in the famous local salt.

The unique pyramid shape of the Pyramid Salt is created through the process of solar evaporation of sea water where the water is channeled into a chain of shallow ponds or lagoons and then into large pans where the water is gradually heated, forming the pyramid shapes of the salt. The process continues until the salt reaches 3% humidity, and can take up to two years to complete.

The orange salad is a breeze to make, and pairs so well with this wonderful salt. A simple refreshing salad of sliced sweet Valencia oranges dressed with honey and seasoned with flaky sea salt. Especially in the summer months, when it brings a little additional sunshine to the table. All of the flavors shine and complement each other in this recipe. It is a perfect example of contrasting or opposite flavor profiles that perfectly compliment and heighten each other. The salad consists of Valencia oranges, honey, pistachios, and Pyramid Salt. First, peel and slice the oranges, making sure to remove all the white pith under the outer skin. Do your best to follow the round shape of the fruit. Arrange the orange slices on a plate. For a burst of color, place them on lettuce leaves – spinach or purple kale are great options. Drizzle the oranges with honey then sprinkle the pistachios on top. Add the Pyramid Salt and allow the oranges to marinate for 20 minutes before serving.

For the most impact, be sure to use good quality honey and large flake salt – like our Pyramid Salt. This dish is simple, which means that the ingredients really need to shine. Your guests will instantly fall in love with its simple beauty and wonderful various textures. For a summer (or even winter salad) it can’t be beat!