Description

This Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a vibrant and delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. Featuring a delightful mix of fresh greens, juicy pomegranate arils, creamy avocado, and crunchy candied nuts, it’s perfect for festive gatherings. Topped with a sweet-tangy honey mustard dressing, this salad not only adds color to your table but also bursts with flavor. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or looking for a healthy side dish, this recipe offers an easy-to-make option that will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ cups raw walnuts
½ cup shelled pumpkin seeds
⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
¼ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
6 cups mixed greens
2 cups frisée lettuce
1–2 apples or pears, chopped
2 avocados, sliced
2 cups pomegranate arils
1 cup crumbled blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fig preserves
2 teaspoons orange zest + 2 tablespoons orange juice
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Chili flakes, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through until golden brown. Remove from oven; spread nuts in a single layer. Sprinkle with flaky salt and set aside to cool.
In a large salad bowl, add mixed greens and frisée lettuce as your base. Top with chopped apples (or pears), sliced avocado, pomegranate arils, and crumbled cheese. Sprinkle cooled candied nuts over the top.
In a glass jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), Dijon mustard, honey, fig preserves, orange zest, and orange juice. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to taste. Shake well until dressing is emulsified.
Just before serving, drizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad. Gently toss all ingredients together to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
Calories: 220
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Customize the cheese based on your preference; try adding seasonal fruits like cranberries for extra flavor. Prepare components ahead of time for stress-free assembly at mealtime.