Description
Festive winter greens combine Mediterranean flavors in a refreshing seasonal salad. Crisp kale, pomegranate seeds, and toasted almonds create a delightful balance of textures and tastes you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups (1.9 L) mixed greens
- 1 ripe pomegranate or 1 cup (150 g) pomegranate arils
- 2 large oranges, pears, or apples
- ⅓ cup (45 g) crumbled feta or goat cheese
- ½ cup (60 g) dried sweetened cranberries
- ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) maple syrup
- 1 ½ tbsps (22 mL) white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) mayonnaise
- pepitas or maple-cinnamon pecans (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Pecans: Toast maple-cinnamon pecans in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant and golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Create Dressing: Whisk maple syrup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a glass jar until emulsified, then refrigerate to meld flavors.
- Compose Salad Base: Combine mixed salad greens in a large bowl, gently tossing with half the prepared dressing to ensure even coating and prevent wilting.
- Add Fruit Layers: Incorporate sliced oranges, diced pears, pomegranate arils, and dried cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the greens for visual and flavor complexity.
- Finish and Garnish: Drizzle remaining dressing, sprinkle toasted maple-cinnamon pecans, and crumble selected cheese over the salad, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
- Serve Immediately: Present the salad right away to maintain crisp greens and maximize the vibrant, fresh flavor profile of the carefully assembled ingredients.
Notes
- Pecan Precision: Toast nuts carefully to enhance crunch and prevent burning, watching closely during the maple-cinnamon coating process.
- Dressing Dynamics: Shake vigorously in a sealed glass jar to emulsify ingredients thoroughly, creating a smooth and well-blended vinaigrette.
- Greens Freshness: Wash and dry salad greens completely before mixing to prevent watery texture and ensure maximum dressing adherence.
- Serving Strategy: Plate salad just before serving to maintain crisp vegetable texture and prevent wilting from early dressing application.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg