Description
Christmas Salad: Easy, colorful, festive! This show-stopping recipe from Mama Tessa brings vibrant cheer and deliciousness to your holiday table.
Ingredients
- Base Salad Goodness:
- Mixed Greens (spinach, romaine, spring mix)
- Pomegranate Arils
- Feta Cheese, crumbled
- Sweet & Crunchy Add-ins:
- Candied Pecans
- Navel Oranges, segmented
- Dried Cranberries
- Zesty Dressing Essentials:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Honey or Maple Syrup
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Finishing Touches:
- Fresh Mint, chopped (optional, but I love it!)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep Your Gorgeous Greens: First up, get those mixed greens ready. Give them a good rinse under cool water, then spin them super dry in a salad spinner. Honestly, soggy greens are just a no-go, so take your time with this part. You want them light and airy. Place them gently into your biggest, prettiest salad bowl. I remember once I tried to cram them into a smaller bowl and half of them ended up on the counter – classic kitchen chaos, right?
- Step 2: Segment Those Oranges Like a Pro (Almost!): Now for the oranges. With a sharp knife, carefully slice off the top and bottom, then stand the orange on one end. Slice downwards to remove the peel and white pith, following the curve of the fruit. Once peeled, hold the orange over a small bowl to catch the juice, and carefully cut between the membranes to release the individual segments. This sounds fancy, but it just means juicy, bite-sized pieces for your Festive Christmas Salad. I used to just chop them, but this method makes such a difference.
- Step 3: Whip Up the Zesty Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper. Whisk it well until it’s all combined and looks a bit creamy. Taste it! Does it need more tang? A touch more sweetness? This is your moment to adjust it to your liking. I didn’t expect that a simple dressing could be so transformative, but it truly brings all the flavors together in this Festive Christmas Salad.
- Step 4: Assemble the Colorful Toppings: Time to gather your stars! Add the pomegranate arils, crumbled feta cheese, candied pecans, segmented oranges, and dried cranberries to the bowl with your mixed greens. Don’t toss yet! Just arrange them beautifully over the greens. I love seeing all those vibrant colors before they get mixed in; it’s like a little masterpiece in the making. This is where your Festive Christmas Salad really starts to look like a holiday showstopper.
- Step 5: Dress and Toss (Gently!): Just before serving, drizzle about half to two-thirds of the dressing over the salad. Now, gently toss everything together. You want to coat the greens and toppings evenly without bruising anything. Add more dressing if you think it needs it, but remember, you can always add more, never take away! I’ve definitely overdressed salads before, and trust me, it’s a sad sight. Keep it light, keep it fresh.
- Step 6: The Grand Finale for Your Festive Christmas Salad: Transfer your beautifully tossed Festive Christmas Salad to your serving platter. If you’re using fresh mint, sprinkle it over the top now. It adds such a fresh, unexpected aroma and flavor that I just adore. Take a moment to admire your handiwork! It should look incredibly vibrant, smell fresh and zesty, and offer a delightful mix of sweet, tart, and crunchy textures. This salad always gets oohs and aahs, honestly.