Description
A refreshing and vibrant Winter Salad featuring mixed spring greens, citrusy orange segments, sweet pomegranate seeds, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy candied pecans, all brought together with a tangy and sweet homemade dressing made of olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and shallots. Perfect as a light lunch or a festive side dish during the colder months.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 7 cups mixed spring greens
- 1 1/4 cups orange segments (mandarins or clementines)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup candied pecans, roughly chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add 7 cups of mixed spring greens, 1 1/4 cups of orange segments, 1/2 cup of pomegranate seeds, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, and 1/2 cup roughly chopped candied pecans. Gently toss to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, minced shallot, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture evenly. Gently toss all ingredients together until the salad is well-coated with the dressing but not bruised, maintaining the freshness and texture of the greens.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the dressed salad to serving bowls or plates and serve immediately to enjoy maximum freshness and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality greens for best texture and flavor.
- Substitute candied pecans with toasted walnuts or almonds for variation.
- The salad can be prepared ahead without dressing; add dressing just before serving.
- Adjust honey and vinegar quantities in the dressing to taste for sweetness or tanginess.
- For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative.
