Embrace the festive season with a delectable Christmas Salad that perfectly blends the freshness of spring greens with a medley of delightful ingredients. This culinary masterpiece features sliced almonds, feta cheese, seedless mandarin oranges, and the jewel-like pomegranate arils, all harmoniously brought together by a zesty Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette. The marriage of flavors from the citrusy mandarins, crisp greens, and juicy pomegranate creates an ideal side dish, elevating your holiday feast. Paired exquisitely with Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and Steak Diane, this Christmas salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
With Christmas just around the corner, the anticipation is building. Have you finalized your holiday menu? Look no further for a show-stopping dish that’s both quick to prepare and sure to leave a lasting impression. This visually stunning Christmas salad complements a variety of main courses, including roasted chicken, prime rib, pork tenderloin, lobster, or shrimp. Consider other visually appealing salads like ambrosia salad, brussels sprouts salad, kale salad, roasted beets salad, broccoli salad, and strawberry spinach salad to inspire your holiday culinary creativity.
Let’s delve into the exquisite ingredients that make this Christmas Salad a culinary delight:
- Spring Greens: Opt for a mix of arugula, baby spinach, or baby greens to provide the perfect base for the salad.
- Crunchy Nuts: Elevate the texture with sliced almonds, walnuts, or candied pecans for that satisfying crunch.
- Cheese Delight: Feta cheese takes the spotlight in this salad, although blue cheese is a tempting alternative.
- Citrus Burst: Seedless mandarins, with their easy-to-peel and bite-sized goodness, add a burst of citrusy flavor.
- Pomegranate Jewels: Pomegranate seeds, or arils, contribute a touch of sweetness. Substitute with dried cranberries or blueberries if needed.
- Dressing Elegance: The Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette, featuring garlic, champagne vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, and olive oil, ties all the elements together with a tangy finesse.
Crafting this culinary masterpiece is a breeze:
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: Whisk together minced garlic, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking continuously, or shake the ingredients in a mason jar.
- Compose the Salad: In a spacious bowl, combine spring greens, sliced almonds, feta cheese, mandarin oranges, and pomegranate arils.
- Dress to Impress: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to ensure an even coating. The result is a visually appealing, delicious, and vibrant Christmas salad.
But where can you find those coveted pomegranate arils? As the holiday season approaches, grocery stores typically offer pomegranates, with some even providing pre-removed arils for convenience. If not available, fear not! A fresh pomegranate, rolled and then halved and squeezed, will yield the desired arils, ready to adorn your salad.
Sprinkle in some helpful tips to enhance your culinary experience:
- Nut Variations: Experiment with pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, or walnuts for a personalized touch.
- Vinaigrette Prep: The Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette can be prepared up to two days in advance. Simply let it reach room temperature and give it a good shake or whisk before serving.
- Citrus Choices: While fresh mandarin oranges are recommended, canned ones can step in when needed.
- Seasonal Substitutes: If pomegranates are elusive, consider substituting with blueberries or dried cranberries for a burst of flavor.
- Fruit Additions: Elevate the salad with slices of pear or apple for an additional layer of sweetness.
- Cheese Options: Beyond feta, Parmesan, goat cheese, or blue cheese can offer delightful alternatives.
- Dressing Variety: Explore the equally delightful combination of a honey poppy seed dressing for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Honey
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Christmas Salad
- 12 ounces fresh spring greens
- 2/3 cup sliced almonds
- 2/3 cup feta cheese
- 4 seedless mandarin oranges peeled and segmented
- 1 pomegranate seeded
In conclusion, this super easy Christmas Salad, adorned with a Honey Mustard Champagne Vinaigrette, is not only a culinary delight but also a visually stunning addition to your festive table. Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner, this salad is sure to impress.
image source : tombouctou-food
