Description
This vibrant Christmas Salad brings festive cheer! Fresh greens, pomegranate, and a tangy dressing make it a holiday table essential. Simple and bright.
Ingredients
Scale
- Vibrant Salad Base:
- 6 cups mixed greens (spring mix or baby spinach)
- 2 cups arugula
- Festive Toppings:
- 1 cup pomegranate arils (from 1 large pomegranate)
- ½ cup candied pecans (or walnuts)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Tangy Dressing Essentials:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- Optional Merry Bits:
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Orange segments
Instructions
- Prep Your Greens:: First things first, get those greens ready! Gently wash your mixed greens and arugula under cool water. Honestly, I use a salad spinner here; it’s a game-changer for getting them really dry. Soggy greens are just… no. Lay them out on a clean kitchen towel for a few minutes if you don’t have a spinner. I always check for any sad-looking leaves and toss them. We want vibrant, happy greens for our Christmas Salad, right?
- Whisk Up the Tangy Dressing:: In a small bowl, whisk together your olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. I usually give it a good minute of vigorous whisking until it looks slightly emulsified and creamy. This is where you taste it, hon! Does it need more tang? A little more sweetness? Trust your gut. I’ve definitely under-seasoned before and had a bland salad, so don’t be shy here!
- Combine the Salad Base:: Grab your biggest, prettiest salad bowl. Gently place your dried mixed greens and arugula in there. I always try to make it look a little artful, like a fluffy green cloud. This is where the magic starts to happen; you can almost smell the freshness already. Don’t squish them; we want volume! This is the foundation of your gorgeous Christmas Salad.
- Add Your Festive Toppings:: Now for the fun part! Sprinkle those beautiful pomegranate arils, candied pecans, and crumbled feta cheese over the greens. I like to distribute them evenly so every bite gets a little bit of everything. I once dumped them all in one spot – oops! – and had to gently redistribute. It’s all about creating that stunning visual contrast for your Christmas Salad.
- Dress and Toss (Carefully!):: This is the moment of truth. Pour about half of your dressing over the salad. Using salad tongs, gently toss everything together. I always start with less dressing because you can always add more, but you can’t take it away! You want the greens to be lightly coated, not drowning. This ensures every leaf and topping gets that wonderful flavor of your Christmas Salad dressing.
- Final Touches and Serve:: Take a moment to admire your handiwork! If it needs a little more dressing, add a drizzle. A final grind of black pepper or a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt never hurts. Serve your beautiful Christmas Salad immediately. It looks so festive, and honestly, the crispness and colors just make me smile. It’s the perfect refreshing complement to any holiday spread!