Description
Crisp Mixed Holiday Salad with Balsamic Dressing brings festive flavors to your table. Fresh seasonal ingredients combine with tangy vinaigrette, creating a delightful side dish you can savor alongside winter meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds (arils)
- 1 medium pear or apple, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup candied pecans (or walnuts)
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)
- ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until a smooth, glossy emulsion forms.
- Salad Assembly: Spread mixed greens across a serving bowl, creating a verdant canvas for the remaining ingredients. Strategically layer pomegranate seeds, crumbled goat cheese, and candied pecans to build depth and visual interest.
- Flavor Layering: Intersperse thinly sliced pear or apple throughout the salad, complementing the existing textures with crisp, refreshing notes. Scatter dried cranberries to enhance the overall flavor complexity and festive character.
- Final Touches: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared balsamic dressing over the salad. Choose to either gently toss for even distribution or serve dressing on the side, allowing guests to customize their experience. Optionally, add a final garnish to elevate presentation and provide additional textural contrast.
- Presentation: Serve immediately to maintain the salad’s vibrant freshness, crisp ingredients, and optimal flavor profile.
Notes
- Balance Dressing Intensity: Adjust balsamic vinegar and honey proportions to achieve perfect sweet-tangy balance; taste as you mix for personalized flavor profile.
- Prevent Fruit Browning: Slice pears or apples just before serving and toss with small lemon juice splash to maintain crisp, fresh appearance and prevent oxidation.
- Maximize Nut Crunch: Toast candied pecans briefly in dry skillet before adding to salad, enhancing their nutty flavor and ensuring maximum crispness without burning.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap goat cheese with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese crumbles for lactose-intolerant or vegan guests; ensures inclusive dining experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg