Save A festive, vibrant salad shaped like a holiday tree, featuring tangy feta, sweet cranberries, crunchy nuts, and fresh herbs—perfect as a centerpiece dip for celebrations.
This salad has become my go-to for holiday gatherings because it looks stunning and pleases a crowd with diverse tastes.
Ingredients
- Base Salad: 2 cups baby spinach, finely chopped, 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped, 1 cup fresh dill, finely chopped, 1 small English cucumber, diced, 1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced
- Toppings: 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped, 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)
- Dressing: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Garnish & Serving: Fresh rosemary sprigs (for the tree trunk and decoration), Assorted crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks, for dipping
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped spinach, parsley, dill, cucumber, and scallions.
- Step 2:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3:
- Pour the dressing over the chopped greens and toss gently to combine.
- Step 4:
- On a large serving platter, shape the salad mixture into a large triangle to resemble a holiday tree.
- Step 5:
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the tree to mimic snow.
- Step 6:
- Decorate with dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and pomegranate seeds for ornaments.
- Step 7:
- Place rosemary sprigs at the base to create a tree trunk and add a festive touch.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately with crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
Save This salad is a hit every year when my family gathers; the kids love the festive shape and adults enjoy the flavor play.
Tips for Presentation
Use a large flat platter for better shaping. Add fresh rosemary sprigs carefully for the tree trunk effect.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can substitute goat cheese for feta or use walnuts instead of pecans for nut variation.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with assorted crackers, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping to complement the flavors.
Save This vibrant salad adds a festive flair to any celebration and is delightfully easy to prepare.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of cheese is used in this salad?
Crumbled feta cheese provides a tangy and creamy texture that complements the freshness of the herbs and sweetness of cranberries.
- → Can I substitute the dried cranberries?
Yes, dried cherries or chopped dried apricots can be used as alternatives for a similar sweet and tart flavor.
- → How is the salad shaped like a tree?
The chopped greens are arranged into a large triangular shape on a platter, decorated with toppings to mimic ornaments and rosemary sprigs as the trunk.
- → Is this suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, if gluten-free crackers or dipping options are chosen, the salad and accompaniments are gluten-free.
- → What dressing ingredients are used?
Extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper are whisked together to create a bright, balanced dressing.
- → Can this salad be made vegan?
Substitute vegan feta cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey to make the salad vegan-friendly.