The holiday season infuses everything with an air of festive cheer, even down to the salad! It literally can’t get more festive than The Ultimate Holiday Salad though; it’s a salad that looks as colorful as Christmas lights! The red and green of tart and sweet dried cranberries and garden-fresh greens capture the holiday hues, with crisp, juicy apples and distinct blue cheese only adding to the flavor fun! All The Ultimate Holiday Salad needs is the right dressing like a tangy apple cider vinaigrette, which is made right at home. This is one salad everyone at the feasting table will be happy to see!
Ingredients
For the apple cider vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup light vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice or apple cider
- 2-3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 3 medium Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 12 ounces salad greens
- 1 cup pecan halves, toasted or candied
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Directions
Step 1 –Add the oil, the apple cider vinegar, the apple juice, the honey, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, the salt, and the pepper to a mason jar or a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Step 2 –Tightly screw on the lid and shake vigorously until everything is thoroughly combined.
Step 3 –Place the apple slices in a large resealable plastic bag and add the remaining lemon juice.
Step 4 –Seal the bag and shake to coat.
Step 5 –In a large salad bowl, layer the salad greens, the apple slices, the pecans, the dried cranberries, and the blue cheese.
Step 6 –Just before serving, drizzle on the dressing and toss until evenly coated.
Step 7 –Serve.