Description

A festive holiday salad filled with crisp apples, juicy pears, sweet-tart cranberries, toasted nuts, and creamy feta. A bright honey balsamic dressing brings everything together, while feta snowflakes create a beautiful Christmas-inspired presentation.

Ingredients

For the Salad

5 cups (150 g) mixed greens or baby spinach

2 crisp apples, thinly sliced

2 ripe pears, thinly sliced

1/2 cup (60 g) dried cranberries

1/2 cup (60 g) walnuts or pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

3/4 cup (110 g) crumbled feta cheese

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup (40 g) pomegranate seeds, optional

For the Honey Balsamic Dressing

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Feta Snowflakes

1/2 cup (75 g) feta cheese, sliced into a thick block

1 tsp olive oil, for brushing

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Instructions

1. Place the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from the skillet and allow them to cool completely.

2. Pat the feta dry with paper towels and cut it into thick slices. Using a small snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, carefully cut several snowflakes from the feta. Reserve the remaining feta pieces for crumbling into the salad.

3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.

4. Wash and thinly slice the apples and pears. Toss the slices gently with a small splash of fresh lemon juice to help slow browning and keep the fruit looking fresh.

5. Place the mixed greens or baby spinach in a large serving bowl or festive Christmas platter. Arrange the sliced apples and pears evenly over the greens.

6. Scatter the dried cranberries, toasted walnuts or pecans, and optional pomegranate seeds over the fruit and greens.

7. Crumble the reserved feta pieces over the salad, leaving some of the colorful fruit visible.

8. Drizzle the honey balsamic dressing over the salad just before serving. Start with a moderate amount and add more if needed.

9. Carefully arrange the feta snowflakes across the top of the salad. Sprinkle fresh parsley around them and add a few extra pomegranate seeds or cranberries for a festive presentation.

10. Serve immediately while the greens are crisp, the fruit is fresh, and the toasted nuts provide plenty of crunch.

Notes

Choose crisp, firm apples and pears that hold their shape well when sliced. Toast the nuts for a few minutes in a dry skillet to bring out their natural flavor and make them extra crunchy. If preparing the salad ahead, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving. Pat the feta dry before cutting the snowflakes so the shapes are easier to form. Handle the feta snowflakes gently because feta can crumble during cutting and transferring. Toss sliced apples and pears with a small amount of fresh lemon juice to help slow browning. Do not overdress the salad; add the dressing gradually so the greens remain crisp. You can prepare the greens, fruit, toasted nuts, dressing, and feta snowflakes several hours ahead. Store the components separately in the refrigerator and assemble shortly before serving. Goat cheese can replace crumbled feta, although it may not hold the snowflake shape as well as firm feta. Toasted pecans are an excellent substitute for walnuts and add a slightly buttery flavor. Pomegranate seeds are optional and can be replaced with extra cranberries, red grapes, or finely sliced strawberries. For a more substantial vegetarian meal, add roasted chickpeas, quinoa, grilled halloumi, or another favorite protein. Serve with roasted turkey, glazed ham, roast chicken, pork, or baked salmon for a festive holiday meal. For an especially beautiful presentation, arrange the salad on a large white platter and place the feta snowflakes in a decorative pattern.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American