Description
A vibrant and festive Christmas Salad featuring mixed greens, sweet citrus segments, tart pomegranate arils, crunchy candied nuts, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a luscious honey mustard dressing. This salad is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a refreshing side dish during the winter season.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups mixed greens, packed (spring mix recommended)
- 1 cup mandarin or clementine orange segments (about 3–4 oranges)
- 1 cup pomegranate arils or ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2/3 cup glazed or candied nuts (candied pecans or candied walnuts suggested)
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 1 batch Honey Mustard Dressing, or 8–10 tablespoons store-bought honey mustard dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the greens: Rinse and dry the mixed greens thoroughly. Pack them lightly into a large salad bowl to form the base of the salad.
- Add the fruit: Peel and segment the mandarins or clementines, removing any seeds. Add the orange segments to the bowl along with the pomegranate arils or dried cranberries, distributing them evenly over the greens.
- Incorporate the nuts and cheese: Sprinkle the glazed or candied nuts over the salad to add a crunchy, sweet dimension. Then, crumble the feta cheese on top for a tangy contrast.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad. If using store-bought dressing, add 8 to 10 tablespoons, adjusting to taste. Toss the salad gently but thoroughly to ensure the dressing coats all ingredients.
- Serve immediately: Serve the salad immediately to keep the greens fresh and crisp, presenting it as a colorful and festive dish perfect for the holiday table or any refreshing meal.
Notes
- For a vegan alternative, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese.
- Adjust the quantity of dressing to taste depending on how lightly or heavily dressed you prefer your salad.
- Fresh pomegranate arils can be replaced with dried cranberries if fresh are unavailable, but fresh provide a juicier burst.
- Candied nuts can be homemade by caramelizing nuts with sugar or purchased pre-made for convenience.
- Serve immediately after dressing to prevent the greens from wilting.
