Description
The Juicy Christmas Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing is a festive delight that will brighten up any holiday gathering. This vibrant salad showcases a medley of fresh greens, crunchy toasted nuts, juicy seasonal fruits, and creamy cheese, all drizzled with a zesty honey mustard dressing that ties everything together. Perfect as a side or light main dish, every bite offers a refreshing burst of flavors and textures. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s an ideal choice for busy holiday hosts looking to impress their guests with a healthy yet delicious option.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups walnuts (raw and unsalted)
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (unshelled)
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss walnuts and pumpkin seeds with honey and chipotle powder in a mixing bowl. Spread on the baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes until fragrant.
- In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens and frisée. Add diced fruits, sliced avocados, pomegranate seeds, and cooled nuts along with crumbled cheese.
- For the dressing: Combine olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fig jam, orange zest/juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes in a jar. Shake well until combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg