Christmas Salad – This delightful Christmas Salad isn’t just a dish; it’s a celebration, on your plate! With its colors and bursting flavors, it adds a touch to your festive feast. Featuring tender baby spinach, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy pecans, and more this salad is not only delicious but also packed with goodness.
I remember the first time I made this salad for our Christmas Eve dinner—it was a hit! The blend of savory flavors brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Even my husband, who isn’t usually a fan of salads couldn’t resist going for seconds. My little one absolutely adored the combination of fruits and nuts. It has become our holiday tradition since.
What makes this Christmas Salad truly stand out?
What makes this Christmas Salad truly stand out is its vibrant presentation. It becomes a captivating centerpiece during holiday celebrations. Not only is it visually appealing. It also delivers a healthy amount of fresh greens, fruits, and nuts—a perfect harmony of nutrition and taste. The homemade dressing prepared with natural ingredients adds that personal touch while guaranteeing a burst of flavor in every morsel. Furthermore, its versatility allows it to blaze as either a side dish or as a light meal, on its own—perfectly catering to various dietary preferences while heightening the joyous holiday dining experience.
What You Need To Make This Christmas Salad Recipe?
Baby Spinach: It’s the star of the show! I always go for baby spinach because of its texture and sweet flavor. It’s, like a blanket that lovingly brings all the other ingredients together.
Pecans: Oh, that satisfying crunch! Toasting them enriches their aroma, which is simply captivating. I like to chop some for a crunch in every bite.
Dried Cranberries: These little gems add a tartness and a hint of sweetness that complements the flavors so well. Each mouthful feels like a surprise.
Mandarin Oranges: The zesty citrusy kick from these segments really brightens up the salad. It’s like a burst of sunshine amidst all the greens.
Goat Cheese: This is where the magic happens. The creamy richness of the cheese blends beautifully with the dressing creating a symphony of flavors in your mouth.
Pomegranate Arils: They’re, like jewels sprinkled on top. Not only do they make the salad look festive. Their juicy crunch also delivers tremendous satisfaction.
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Dressing Ingredients: The heart and soul of any salad. A mix of squeezed lime juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. It’s a straightforward yet sophisticated dressing that wonderfully hooks everything together. Believe me, once you experience the taste of dressing made from scratch you won’t want to go back!
Steps To Make Christmas Salad:
Step 1: Salad Dressing: Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and fresh lime juice in a mason jar. Whisk them together until they blend perfectly. Adjust the amount of lime juice to your liking.
Step 2: Assembly: To add a touch I prefer serving this salad in bowls. Start with a bed of baby spinach. Then generously add the ingredients. Finish it off by drizzling your homemade dressing over the top. If you’re serving it for the family toss everything (except, for the pecans and pomegranate arils) in a bowl with the dressing and garnish, with toasted pecans and arils.
Tip:
When preparing your Christmas Salad consider the appeal of the colors and textures, in the bowl. Begin by layering an amount of baby spinach then artfully arrange the mandarin orange segments and dried cranberries to create a contrast. Sprinkle chopped pecans and pomegranate arils next ensuring they are distributed throughout for a bite every time. Lastly, add dollops of goat cheese on top. This not only presents a pleasing dish but also guarantees that your guests will savor the full range of flavors and textures that make this salad truly special. Remember, we first eat with our eyes. This salad is a feast!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Definitely! Just make sure to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.
What can I use instead of goat cheese?
Feta cheese is a substitute that will add a delicious flavor.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, it is gluten-free. Just make sure that your mustard and other ingredients are gluten-free.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Christmas Salad
Ingredients
Salad Dressing:
- ⅓ c extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp honey
- Juice of 1 large lime freshly squeezed
Salad:
- 6 ounces baby spinach
- 1 c pecan halves toasted (some finely chopped)
- ½ c dried cranberries
- 3 mandarin oranges peeled and segmented
- ⅓ c goat cheese crumbled
- ⅓ c pomegranate arils or more
Instructions
- To make the dressing combine ⅓ cup of virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons of honey and the juice of 1 large lime in a mason jar or small bowl. Close the jar tightly. Shake it vigorously or whisk everything in the bowl until well combined.
- Now let's assemble the salad. Start by placing a handful of baby spinach as the base in bowls. Next add segments from 3 mandarin oranges, ½ cup of dried cranberries and ⅓ cup of arils over the spinach. Sprinkle on 1 cup of toasted pecan halves (some chopped). Finally crumble some goat cheese (about ⅓ cup) over each salad.
- Before serving drizzle the dressing over each salad bowl to give it that flavor kick.
- Alternatively if you're making a large portion for sharing toss together spinach, mandarin oranges, cranberries and most of the pecans (save some for topping) with the dressing, in a bowl. Then top it off with remaining pecans, pomegranate arils and crumbled goat cheese.
- Enjoy this colorful Christmas Salad!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
