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Vibrant salad with cranberries, blue cheese, pecans, walnuts, and apples, perfect as a refreshing Christmas side dish.

Festive Christmas Side Dish Salad: Brighten Your Holiday Table

This vibrant Christmas salad adds freshness and festive color to your holiday table. Made with romaine, arugula, cranberries, apples, nuts, and blue cheese, it's tossed in a sweet and tangy Dijon-honey vinaigrette — the perfect contrast to rich seasonal dishes.
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Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Christmas, Holiday
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 leaves romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 30 g baby rocket (arugula), washed and dried
  • 60 g dried cranberries
  • 60 g candied almonds
  • 30 g blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 50 ml olive oil (preferably extra virgin)

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl For tossing salad components.
  • Small bowl To whisk and hold the dressing.
  • Whisk or fork For emulsifying the dressing.
  • Measuring spoons & cups To measure dressing and toppings accurately.
  • cutting board and sharp knife For chopping greens and dicing apples.

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, cider vinegar, and lemon juice. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Wash and dry the romaine and arugula thoroughly. Chop romaine into bite-sized pieces. Dice the apple and, if prepping ahead, toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  3. In a large bowl, combine romaine, arugula, diced apple, cranberries, candied almonds, and blue cheese. Toss gently.
  4. Right before serving, drizzle the salad with the prepared dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately for best texture.

Notes

Dress the salad just before serving to preserve freshness. Mix and match ingredients like different cheeses, nuts, or fruits to suit your taste or dietary preferences.