Description

A festive and vibrant Christmas Wreath Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, ripe Bartlett pear, juicy pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, sweet maple-glazed pecans, and crumbled feta cheese, all dressed in a tangy apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard dressing. This light and colorful salad is perfect for holiday entertaining, offering a beautiful red and green presentation that’s both gluten-free and vegetarian.

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

Maple-Glazed 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 fully combined.
Glaze the Pecans: Heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped pecans and maple syrup, stirring frequently for 5-8 minutes until the maple syrup evaporates and the pecans are evenly coated and lightly toasted. Be careful not to burn the nuts.
Arrange the Salad Base: On a circular platter or serving tray, place the bowl or ramekin containing the dressing in the center. Arrange the fresh baby spinach around the bowl in a circular, wreath-like shape, making a festive green base.
Add Fruit and Toppings: Carefully layer the pear slices, pomegranate arils, dried cranberries, maple-glazed pecans, and crumbled feta cheese over and slightly beneath the spinach to add dimension and color to the wreath.
Serve and Dress: When ready to serve, divide the salad onto individual plates. Drizzle each with the desired amount of dressing and toss gently to combine flavors.

Notes

This Christmas Wreath Salad with pomegranate, pear, and cranberries is a stunning, light, and delicious side dish ideal for holiday entertaining.
It looks elegant but is quick and easy to put together.
The salad is gluten-free, vegetarian, and refined sugar-free, making it suitable for many dietary needs.
Use ripe but firm Bartlett pears to maintain a pleasant texture.
Maple-glazing the pecans adds sweetness and crunch that complements the salad’s flavors.

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