Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
This vibrant salad features mixed greens, creamy avocado, crisp apples or pears, juicy pomegranate seeds, and sweet-spicy roasted nuts, all brought together with a homemade honey mustard dressing. It’s a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s both nutritious and festive.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., arugula, spinach, or baby kale)
- 2 cups frisée leaves
- 1–2 apples or pears, diced
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup crumbled cheese (blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese)
- 1 ½ cups raw walnuts
- ½ cup shelled pumpkin seeds
- â…“ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- Pinch of salt
For the Dressing:
- â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fig preserves
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Nuts:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey or maple syrup, chipotle chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until toasted and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a bit of flaky salt, and let them cool.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens and frisée leaves.
- Add the diced apples or pears, sliced avocados, and pomegranate seeds.
- Sprinkle the crumbled cheese over the salad.
- Once cooled, add the roasted nuts to the salad.
- Prepare the Dressing:
- In a jar or small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic or apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig preserves, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and chili flakes if desired.
- Shake or whisk until well combined and emulsified.
- Dress the Salad:
- Just before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad.
- Gently toss to ensure all ingredients are well coated.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy this festive, flavorful salad!
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the nuts with your favorites, such as pecans or almonds.
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and omit the cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or can be enjoyed as a light main course.