Chopped Christmas Tree Salad (Printable Version)

A fresh blend of kale, pomegranate seeds, feta, and crunchy nuts with a tangy dressing.

# Components:

→ Greens

01 - 2 cups kale leaves, finely chopped, stems removed
02 - 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
03 - 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced

→ Vegetables & Fruit

05 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
07 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Cheese & Nuts

08 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine kale, spinach, broccoli, and cucumber.
02 - Massage the kale gently with a drizzle of olive oil for 1–2 minutes to soften.
03 - Add red bell pepper, pomegranate seeds, and red onion to the greens and toss gently.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
06 - Top with crumbled feta and toasted pecans or walnuts.
07 - Transfer to a serving platter. Shape the salad into a Christmas tree and decorate with extra pomegranate seeds and feta.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Colorful and nutritious mix of greens and fruits
  • Simple, fresh ingredients with bold holiday flavors
02 -
  • For a vegan version, omit feta or use vegan cheese
  • Substitute pecans or walnuts with pumpkin seeds for a nut-free option
03 -
  • Massage kale with olive oil to soften it and improve texture
  • Shape salad carefully to resemble a Christmas tree for festive presentation
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