Description
Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing invites festive flavors to dance across your plate. Crisp greens, roasted pecans, and cranberries create a seasonal melody that delights winter palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- ½ cup (120 ml) orange segments (from 1–2 oranges)
- ½ cup (75 g) pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
- ¼ cup (30 g) candied pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup (30 g) crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until a smooth, well-integrated emulsion develops. Adjust seasoning to achieve a harmonious flavor balance.
- Salad Assembly: Create a vibrant base using mixed greens, spreading them evenly across a wide serving platter to form a lush, verdant foundation.
- Ingredient Distribution: Generously layer pomegranate seeds, orange segments, dried cranberries, caramelized candied pecans, and crumbled feta or goat cheese atop the greens, creating a colorful and textural mosaic.
- Final Touches: Drizzle honey mustard dressing just before serving, or present it alongside the salad to allow guests to customize their portion. Gently toss with culinary tongs to ensure a light, even coating of ingredients.
- Presentation: Swiftly transfer the festive salad to the dining table, showcasing a refreshing and elegant dish that embodies the joyous Christmas spirit.
Notes
- Balance Dressing Carefully: Adjust honey, mustard, and vinegar ratios to create a harmonious flavor without overpowering the delicate salad ingredients.
- Maximize Freshness: Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent wilting of greens.
- Customize Cheese Options: Swap feta or goat cheese with plant-based alternatives for vegan guests, ensuring dietary inclusivity without compromising taste.
- Toasting Pecans Technique: Lightly toast candied pecans to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, crunchy texture in the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg