Description
A vibrant and festive Christmas Salad featuring mixed greens, juicy pomegranate seeds, sweet mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty honey-Dijon balsamic dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this beautiful and nutritious salad combines fresh, seasonal flavors in a quick and easy no-cook recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, and romaine)
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments (fresh or canned and drained)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 small red onion (thinly sliced)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, toss together the mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, mandarin orange segments, toasted almonds, crumbled feta cheese, and thinly sliced red onion to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small jar or bowl, whisk the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing without bruising the delicate greens.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately to preserve the freshness and vibrant texture of the ingredients for the best flavor and appearance.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese for feta if preferred.
- Use pecans or walnuts as alternatives to almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- Add grilled chicken or roasted turkey to make the salad heartier and suitable for a main meal.
- This salad is ideal for holiday gatherings and can be prepped ahead; just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to maintain crispness.
