When making a holiday meal with multiple courses I like to utilize some key ingredients throughout the different dishes. It helps to keep flavor profiles consistent & better yet, makes the grocery shopping & budget that much easier. That’s exactly how this salad comes together. I know I’m going to be using apples, walnuts & pomegranate in other dishes, so why not add them to this salad? So easy!
When it comes to holiday cooking, the more prep you can do ahead of time the better. In the case of this salad, I would make it the day of. It’s not that you couldn’t do it beforehand, but since the apple will oxidize & turn brown I’d wait until just before serving.
Harvest Gem Salad
An autumn harvest salad that is both a little sweet & a little tart.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1-2 heads gem or bibb lettuce
- 1 green apple, thinly sliced
- 1-2 stalks celery hearts thinly sliced, including leafy greens
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- 1/8 cup pomegranate seeds
Sugar & Spice Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup apple cider or juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp agave or honey use apple honey to keep vegan
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette by whisking together all the ingredients. Set aside.
- Wash & tear the lettuce leaves into large pieces. Slice the celery into thin bite size pieces. Slice the apple into thin pieces either julienne or wedges.
- Assemble the salad by tossing all the salad ingredients together. Drizzle with vinaigrette or serve on the side.
Notes
If you can’t find any gem or bibb lettuce you can substitute with another mild lettuce.
For an added punch of flavor, heat the vinaigrette in the microwave for 30 seconds. Give it a good shake & drizzle. Warming up that cinnamon just brings it to life & the contrast between the cool salad & warm vinaigrette is pretty great!
Enjoy!!!!
