Description

This Best Christmas Wreath Salad with Pomegranate and Pear is a festive and vibrant holiday side dish featuring a colorful arrangement of fresh baby spinach, ripe pear slices, pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and crumbled feta cheese. Topped with a tangy maple-Dijon vinaigrette, this salad combines sweet, tart, and savory flavors, perfect for adding a beautiful and delicious touch to your holiday entertaining. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and refined sugar-free, it’s both healthy and visually stunning.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
Pinch of salt and pepper

Candied Pecans

1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon maple syrup

Salad

8 cups fresh baby spinach
1 Bartlett pear (ripe but firm, cored and thinly sliced)
3/4 cup pomegranate arils
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well blended. Set aside.
Candy the Pecans: Heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped pecans and maple syrup to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes or until the maple syrup has evaporated and the pecans are glossy and lightly toasted. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and let cool.
Assemble the Wreath Base: Place a circular platter or serving tray on your work surface. Position a small bowl or ramekin with the dressing in the center of the platter. Arrange the fresh baby spinach evenly around the bowl, shaping it into a wreath-like circle.
Decorate the Salad Wreath: Arrange the pear slices, pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and crumbled feta cheese on top of the spinach wreath. Tuck some of the toppings slightly under the spinach leaves to add depth and dimension to the presentation.
Serve: When ready to serve, divide the salad among individual plates. Drizzle with desired amounts of the dressing and toss gently to combine each serving just before eating.

Notes

This Christmas Wreath Salad is a stunning, light, and delicious side dish perfect for holiday entertaining.
It looks fancy but is quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for last-minute party planning.
The salad offers a beautiful red and green color theme that enhances your festive table setting.
This recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian, and refined sugar-free, catering to multiple dietary preferences.
Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if desired.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 224 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 188 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 11 mg