Festive Christmas Salad with Spinach and Sweet Treats
A colorful and flavorful salad that combines baby spinach, juicy fruits, creamy cheese, and a hint of crunch, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 8 cups baby spinach, loosely packed Wash and dry well.
- 1 large red apple, thinly sliced Honeycrisp or Gala are great.
- 1 medium pear, thinly sliced Bartlett or Anjou for sweetness.
- 1 cup pomegranate arils For bright color and pop.
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries For chewy sweetness.
- 3/4 cup toasted nuts (pecans or walnuts), roughly chopped
- 3-4 ounces goat cheese or feta, crumbled
- 1/3 cup crushed candied pecans or praline bits (optional) For added fun.
Dressing ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash and dry the baby spinach. Store in a large container lined with paper towels if preparing ahead.
- Toast the nuts until fragrant, cool, and store them in a jar.
- Make the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until glossy.
- Slice the apples and pears, tossing in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Prepare the pomegranate arils and crumble the cheese.
Assembly
- In a large bowl, layer the spinach, followed by the fruit, nuts, and cheese.
- Drizzle the dressing just enough to coat the ingredients lightly.
- Toss gently from the bottom with clean hands, and top with a final sprinkle of pomegranate arils.
Notes
Enjoy this salad slightly chilled or at cool room temperature. Feel free to customize with different fruits, nuts, or cheeses based on preference.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 150mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8g
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