Description
A vibrant and festive winter salad featuring fresh oranges, creamy avocado, juicy pomegranate seeds, mixed baby greens, crumbled feta, and crunchy candied spiced nuts, all tossed in a sweet and tangy cranberry balsamic dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side or light main course during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 oranges, rind removed and cut into segments
- 1 avocado, sliced or chopped
- Seeds from 1 pomegranate
- 10 ounces mixed baby greens
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup candied spiced nuts or toasted pecans
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Peel and segment the oranges, slice or chop the avocado, and extract the seeds from the pomegranate, setting them aside for assembly.
- Assemble the base: Place the mixed baby greens in a large salad bowl or divide them evenly between individual serving bowls.
- Add toppings: Arrange the orange segments, avocado slices, pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and candied spiced nuts evenly over the greens.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste until well combined.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the cranberry balsamic dressing over the salad toppings. Toss gently to combine or serve as is for a composed presentation.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the nuts lightly before candying them or use pecans for a milder flavor.
- If fresh pomegranate is not available, use frozen arils or dried cranberries as a substitute.
- Adjust the dressing sweetness by adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup if desired.
- For a vegan option, substitute feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead if dressed just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 505 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg
