Mesclun Salad With Radishes, Avocado, and Blood Oranges

Serves 6

Ingredients
2 small blood oranges or other oranges
1 Tbs. rice vinegar
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
6 cups mesclun or mixed young salad greens
4 red radishes, trimmed and very thinly sliced
1/2 small avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
2 Tbs. crumbled blue cheese

Directions

1. Working with 1 orange at a time, cut a thin slice off the top and the bottom, exposing the flesh.
   
2. Stand the orange upright and, using a sharp knife, thickly cut off the peel, following the contour of the fruit and removing all the white pith and membrane.
   
3. Holding the orange over a small bowl, carefully cut along both sides of each section to free it from the membrane.
   
4. As you work, discard any seeds and let the sections and any juice fall into the bowl.
   
5. Repeat with the second orange. When both oranges are sectioned, squeeze the membranes into the bowl to extract all of the juice.
   
6. To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tbs. of the captured blood orange juice, the vinegar and mustard.
   
7. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil in a thin stream until emulsified.
   
8. Whisk in the salt and pepper. Reserve any remaining orange juice for another use.
   
9. In a large bowl, combine the mesclun, radishes, and orange sections.
   
10. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to mix well and coat evenly.
    
11. To serve, divide the salad among individual plates. Top each portion with slices of avocado and sprinkle with the cheese.