Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
This vibrant and festive Christmas salad features a delightful mix of toasted nuts, crisp greens, juicy fruits, creamy cheese, and a zesty honey mustard dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it serves as a refreshing side dish or a light yet satisfying main course.
Servings: 6
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
- Toast the Nuts
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, toss the walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey (or maple syrup), chipotle powder, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until toasted and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven, spread in a single layer, and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool.
- Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens and frisée.
- Top with diced apple or pear, sliced avocados, and pomegranate seeds.
- Sprinkle the cooled nuts and crumbled cheese evenly over the salad.
- Gently toss to combine the ingredients.
- Make the Dressing
- Add all the dressing ingredients (olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest, orange juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes) to a glass jar.
- Seal the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined.
- Dress and Serve
- Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Notes
- Cheese Options: Use blue cheese, feta, or goat cheese based on your preference.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the nuts and dressing in advance. Store nuts in an airtight container and dressing in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
- Apple Prep: To prevent browning, soak apple or pear slices in a saltwater solution (1 teaspoon salt per 1 cup water) for 5 minutes. Rinse and pat dry before adding to the salad.
- Serving Tip: Best enjoyed within an hour of preparation for optimal taste and texture.