Description
Festive Christmas salad brings seasonal cheer with crisp greens, candied pecans, and a tangy honey mustard dressing. Colorful ingredients blend perfectly, offering a delightful side dish that elevates holiday meals and delights guests with its elegant simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 2 cups frisée lettuce
- 1–2 apples or pears (chopped)
- 2 avocados (sliced)
- 2 cups pomegranate arils
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese (feta, or goat cheese)
Nuts and Seeds:
- 1.5 cups (1½ cups) raw walnuts
- 0.5 cups (½ cup) shelled pumpkin seeds
- 0.25 teaspoon (¼ teaspoon) chipotle chili powder
Dressing Ingredients:
- 0.33 cup (⅓ cup) extra virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cup (¼ cup) balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 0.33 cup (⅓ cup) honey or maple syrup
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Chili flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for toasting nuts.
- Coat walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey, chipotle chili powder, and salt, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute the seasoned nuts across the baking sheet in a uniform layer, roasting for 15 minutes and stirring midway to achieve golden, crisp texture.
- Remove toasted nuts from oven, spread on the sheet, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Allow to cool completely.
- Arrange mixed greens and frisée as the salad base in a spacious serving bowl.
- Create colorful layers by adding chopped apples, sliced avocado, vibrant pomegranate arils, and crumbled cheese.
- Generously scatter the cooled candied nuts over the salad components.
- Craft the dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig preserves, orange zest, and fresh orange juice in a glass jar.
- Enhance the dressing with kosher salt, black pepper, and chili flakes, adjusting to personal taste preference.
- Vigorously shake the jar to emulsify the dressing, creating a smooth, well-blended consistency.
- Immediately before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure even distribution. Serve promptly.
Notes
- Swap out nuts for seeds if you have allergies, ensuring everyone can enjoy this festive salad safely.
- Toast nuts carefully to prevent burning, watching closely during the last few minutes of baking for perfect golden color.
- Prepare dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to three days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Customize the salad by substituting seasonal fruits like clementines or cranberries for a different winter twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg