Description
Festive Mediterranean Salad dazzles with crisp greens, roasted vegetables, and tangy balsamic drizzle. Colorful, fresh ingredients promise a delightful culinary experience that brings Mediterranean sunshine right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad:
Leafy Greens:
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
Fruits and Nuts:
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds (arils)
- 1 medium pear or apple, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup candied pecans (or walnuts)
Cheese:
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)
Balsamic Dressing:
Main Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters/2 fluid ounces) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sweeteners:
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the vibrant balsamic dressing by blending olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small mixing vessel. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture transforms into a smooth, cohesive emulsion.
- Select a spacious serving bowl and create a lush foundation of mixed greens, spreading them evenly across the surface.
- Artfully scatter pomegranate seeds across the greens, creating bursts of ruby-red color and tangy sweetness.
- Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the salad, allowing the creamy white fragments to contrast beautifully with the green backdrop.
- Distribute candied pecans strategically, providing delightful crunch and subtle sweetness to each potential bite.
- Layer thinly sliced pear or apple throughout the salad, introducing a crisp and refreshing element to the composition.
- Liberally disperse dried cranberries, enhancing the salad’s festive and complex flavor profile.
- Immediately before serving, delicately drizzle the prepared balsamic dressing over the salad. For optimal presentation, either gently toss the ingredients to ensure even coating or serve the dressing separately, allowing guests to customize their experience.
- Optional: Garnish with additional toppings to elevate the visual appeal and provide extra textural intrigue.
- Serve promptly to preserve the salad’s vibrant freshness and peak flavor.
Notes
- Customize the dressing’s sweetness by adjusting honey levels, perfect for those watching sugar intake.
- Swap goat cheese with vegan alternatives like almond or cashew cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Toast pecans briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more intense crunch before candying.
- Prevent browning of sliced pears by tossing them in a bit of lemon juice, keeping the salad looking fresh and vibrant.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg