Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
This vibrant and festive Christmas salad features a colorful mix of fresh greens, crunchy toasted nuts, juicy fruits, creamy cheese, and a bright, zesty honey mustard dressing. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, serving as either a stunning side dish or a light main course that’s both easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Servings: 8
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1½ cups walnuts raw and unsalted
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds unshelled
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 cups frisée leaves
- 1-2 apples or pears diced
- 2 avocados sliced
- 2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup crumbled cheese blue, feta, or goat cheese
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fig jam
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chili flakes to taste
Instructions
Prepare and Toast the Nuts
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, toss the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven, spread nuts in a single layer, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool completely.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens and frisée.
- Add the diced apple or pear, sliced avocados, and pomegranate seeds.
- Sprinkle the cooled nuts and crumbled cheese evenly over the top.
- Gently toss to combine.
Make the Dressing
- In a glass jar, combine the olive oil, balsamic (or apple cider) vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and chili flakes.
- Seal the jar and shake vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified.
Dress and Serve
- Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad.
- Gently toss to coat the salad evenly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, festive flavors.
Notes
Cheese Options: Use blue cheese for a bold flavor, feta for a briny touch, or goat cheese for creamy tanginess.
Make Ahead: The nuts and dressing can be prepared in advance. Store the nuts in an airtight container and the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Prevent Apple Browning: Soak apple or pear slices in saltwater (1 teaspoon salt per 1 cup water) for 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry before adding to the salad.
Best Served: For the freshest taste and texture, serve the salad within an hour of assembling.