Bright, festive, and packed with holiday cheer, this Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is the perfect addition to your holiday table. With its vibrant mix of fresh spinach, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts, it brings a burst of flavor and color to any meal. Tossed in a light, tangy dressing, this salad is a delightful balance of sweet and savory—ideal as a starter or a side dish. Whether you're hosting a family gathering or bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, this salad is sure to impress!
Ingredients
16 oz fresh baby spinach
1 cup almonds, sliced and toasted
1 cup cranberries, dried
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
In a bowl or jar, whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved completely.
This creates a sweet and tangy base for your dressing.
Next, stir in olive oil, honey, finely chopped shallot, sesame seeds, and optional poppy seeds until the mixture is well blended and emulsified.
Set the dressing aside until you’re ready to use it.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad Ingredients
In a large salad bowl, combine fresh spinach leaves, sliced or slivered almonds, and dried cranberries.
These ingredients provide a delightful combination of textures and flavors for your salad.
Step 3: Dress and Serve the Salad
Right before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl.
Toss the salad gently to ensure the spinach leaves, almonds, and cranberries are evenly coated with the dressing.
Serve the salad immediately after adding the dressing to maintain its freshness and crisp texture.
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