Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
This festive salad brings together the best of the season with toasted nuts, fresh greens, sweet fruits, creamy cheese, and a tangy honey mustard dressing. It’s an elegant yet simple addition to any holiday table, ideal as a side dish or a light, flavorful main course.
Calories: 2700kcal
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 your 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 the nuts are 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, balsamic or apple cider 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 ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your festive, fresh, and nutty Christmas salad!
Notes
Cheese Variations: Blue, feta, or goat cheese all add a delightful creaminess—choose based on your preference.
Make Ahead: Save time by toasting the nuts and preparing the dressing in advance. Store the nuts in an airtight container and refrigerate the dressing. Assemble the salad just before serving for freshness.
Prevent Browning: Soak apple or pear slices in a light saltwater solution (1 teaspoon salt per cup of water) for 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry if prepping ahead.
Serving Tip: For optimal flavor and texture, serve the salad within an hour of assembling.
Make Ahead: Save time by toasting the nuts and preparing the dressing in advance. Store the nuts in an airtight container and refrigerate the dressing. Assemble the salad just before serving for freshness.
Prevent Browning: Soak apple or pear slices in a light saltwater solution (1 teaspoon salt per cup of water) for 5 minutes, then rinse and pat dry if prepping ahead.
Serving Tip: For optimal flavor and texture, serve the salad within an hour of assembling.