Description
Festive Holiday Salad brings Christmas cheer with crisp greens and tangy honey mustard dressing. Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a refreshing starter that celebrates winter’s delightful flavors you’ll savor at your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 cups frisée leaves
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1–2 apples or pears (diced)
- 2 avocados (sliced)
- 1 cup crumbled cheese (blue, feta, or goat cheese)
Nuts and Seeds:
- 1.5 cups walnuts (raw and unsalted)
- 0.5 cups pumpkin seeds (unshelled)
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 0.33 cups honey or maple syrup
- 0.33 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cups balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fig jam
- 0.25 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Chili flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for toasting nuts and seeds.
- Combine walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey, coating them thoroughly with chipotle powder and a hint of salt.
- Distribute the seasoned nut mixture evenly across the baking sheet, ensuring uniform toasting.
- Roast for 15 minutes, stirring midway to achieve golden, aromatic nuts with a crisp texture.
- Remove from oven, scatter with flaky salt, and allow to cool completely for optimal crunchiness.
- Assemble the salad base by layering mixed greens and frisée in a spacious serving bowl.
- Artfully arrange diced apple or pear, sliced avocados, and vibrant pomegranate seeds across the greens.
- Scatter the cooled, seasoned nuts and crumble cheese over the salad for added depth and richness.
- Create the honey mustard dressing by combining olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, orange juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes in a sealed jar.
- Shake the dressing vigorously until ingredients are thoroughly emulsified and well-integrated.
- Immediately before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.
- Gently toss to ensure every ingredient is delicately coated with the tangy, sweet dressing.
- Serve promptly to enjoy the salad at its freshest and most flavorful moment.
Notes
- Toast nuts and seeds carefully to enhance their flavor without burning, watching closely during the last few minutes of baking.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients to elevate the salad’s taste and presentation, especially seasonal fruits and crisp greens.
- Customize the salad by swapping ingredients for dietary needs, like using vegan cheese or gluten-free alternatives.
- Prepare nuts and dressing ahead of time to streamline holiday meal preparation and reduce last-minute stress.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 463 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg