Description

The Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a festive celebration of flavors, perfect for brightening up your holiday table. This vibrant salad features a delightful mix of fresh greens, crisp fruits, and crunchy nuts, all brought together by a zesty honey mustard dressing. The combination of toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds adds a satisfying crunch, while the sweet-tart pomegranate seeds and creamy cheese elevate the dish to gourmet status. Easy to prepare, this salad can be served as a stunning side or a light main course that will impress your guests during any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

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)
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
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey and chipotle powder in a mixing bowl. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes until toasted. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and frisée, then top with diced apples or pears, sliced avocados, pomegranate seeds, cooled nuts, and crumbled cheese. Gently toss to mix.
For the dressing, combine olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest and juice in a jar; shake to mix well.
Drizzle dressing over salad just before serving and toss gently.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
Calories: 290
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Customize the salad by adding your favorite fruits or nuts. Prepare the dressing in advance for convenience.