Description
This festive Christmas Side Dish Salad combines fresh Romaine lettuce, peppery baby rocket, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy candied almonds, tangy blue cheese, and crisp apple cubes, all tossed in a honey-Dijon vinaigrette. Perfect for adding a vibrant and flavorful touch to your holiday meals.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 8 large lettuce leaves (Romaine)
- 30 g baby rocket
- 60 g dried cranberries
- 60 g candied almonds
- 30 g blue cheese
- 1 apple, cut into cubes
For the Dressing
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 50 ml olive oil
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Use a whisk to mix the Dijon mustard with honey, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl until combined.
- Emulsify the dressing: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking to create a smooth and emulsified dressing.
- Prepare the salad base: Reserve a small portion of the ingredients that are not lettuce leaves, such as cranberries, almonds, blue cheese, and apple cubes, for garnish.
- Mix the salad: In a large bowl, combine the Romaine lettuce leaves with the baby rocket, dried cranberries, candied almonds, blue cheese, and apple cubes, except for the reserved portion. Add half of the dressing and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble and finish: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plate, then top with the reserved cranberries, almonds, blue cheese, and apple cubes. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top to finish.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, substitute candied almonds with pumpkin seeds or omit entirely.
- Use a firm apple variety like Gala or Honeycrisp to maintain crisp texture.
- Adjust the dressing seasoning to taste, adding more honey or mustard if desired.
- This salad is best served fresh to keep the lettuce crisp.
- Can be prepared up to an hour ahead; keep dressing separate until serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
