Salad isn't what comes to mind when most of us imagine Christmas dinner. The holidays are all about indulgence and comfort, especially when it comes to food! However, while glazed ham, fennel, brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes may be more traditional Christmas food, a salad is a great way to balance out these dishes. This delicious Christmas salad is the perfect healthy, tasty and flavorful side for this holiday season!
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Christmas Salad
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Having an appetizer full of veggies and protein is the ideal way to start your holiday meal! While fruit salad or spinach salads are common choices, this Christmas salad is hard to beat with its creamy dressing and flavorful ingredients. This holiday salad is a delicious medley of flavors, bringing together sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils. These are on a bed of spring greens, with a yummy drizzle of Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette.
One tasty variation to the classic Christmas salad recipe is to use candied pecans instead of almonds, adding a touch of sweetness. You can also substitute blue cheese or goat cheese for the feta cheese to add an extra pop of flavor. Along with these ideas, add poppy seeds for a crunch or quinoa to make your salad more filling. Parmesan cheese is also a flavorful topping.
How to Make Christmas Salad
To make this crowd-pleasing side dish, start by making its creamy dressing. Place your minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, champagne vinegar, salt and pepper into a small bowl. Whisk together until fully combined, and then slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking.
Prepare the mandarin orange by peeling and separating it into sections. Then, cut your pomegranate in half and take out the arils, also called pomegranate seeds. Now you're ready to combine everything! Get a large bowl and place your salad greens, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils in. Drizzle your dressing on top and toss your Christmas salad until fully coated. Enjoy!
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Christmas Salad is a Nostalgic Side
Ingredients
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp champagne vinegar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 12 oz fresh spring greens
- 2/3 cup Sliced almonds
- 2/3 cup feta cheese
- 4 seedless mandarin oranges
- 1 pomegranate
Instructions
- Place your minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, champagne vinegar, salt and pepper into a small bowl. Whisk together until fully combined, and then slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking.
- Prepare the mandarin orange by peeling and separating it into sections. Then, cut your pomegranate in half and take out the arils, also called pomegranate seeds.
- Get a large bowl and place your salad greens, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and pomegranate arils in. Drizzle your dressing on top and toss your salad until fully coated.
