Description
A festive and vibrant Christmas Salad featuring fresh arugula, sweet mandarin oranges, crisp apple slices, tangy blue cheese, juicy pomegranate seeds, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a honey apple cider vinaigrette dressing. Perfect as a light appetizer or a refreshing side dish during holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 oz Arugula
- 2 medium Mandarin oranges (peeled and separated into wedges; approx. 1 cup)
- 1 large Apple (sliced thinly)
- 1/2 cup Blue cheese (crumbled; or goat cheese or feta cheese)
- 1/3 cup Pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup Pecans (chopped or halved)
Vinaigrette Dressing
- 6 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Honey
- 1/8 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl or on a serving platter, arrange the arugula leaves evenly. Add the peeled mandarin orange wedges, thinly sliced apple, crumbled blue cheese, pomegranate seeds, and chopped pecans on top, distributing each ingredient evenly to showcase the salad’s festive colors and textures.
- Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk them thoroughly until the dressing is well emulsified and smooth, balancing the sweetness and acidity for a perfect complement to the salad.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the arranged salad. Gently toss all ingredients together to ensure each bite is coated with the flavorful dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or feta for a milder or different flavor profile.
- For added crunch, lightly toast the pecans before adding them to the salad.
- The honey in the dressing can be adjusted to your preferred level of sweetness or substituted with maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Use any type of vinegar mentioned depending on your taste preference.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas salad, holiday salad, arugula salad, pomegranate salad, blue cheese salad, mandarin orange salad, healthy holiday recipes
