Cranberry salad with creamy dressing
A salad that dances between sweet and savory, with some nuts tossed in for a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
Begin by preparing the cranberries. If using fresh, you might want to quickly blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften them slightly and reduce tartness. Drain and set aside to cool.
In a dry pan, toast the walnuts over medium heat until they're fragrant and slightly browned. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Let them cool before chopping.
For the dressing, combine the Greek yogurt, orange juice, honey, and orange zest in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large salad bowl, toss the mixed greens, cooled cranberries, apple slices, toasted walnuts, crumbled feta, and red onion.
Drizzle the citrus cream dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
Serve immediately, garnished with a little extra orange zest or a few whole cranberries on top for a festive touch.
Notes
If fresh cranberries are too tart, you could use dried cranberries as a sweeter alternative.
Adjust the amount of honey to the desired sweetness. You can substitute honey with the same amount of maple syrup, if you prefer the flavor.
Variations
Add a cup of cooked quinoa or farro to the salad for a hearty, nutty flavor and a boost of protein. If you're looking to make this salad a main course, consider adding grilled chicken strips, shrimp, or tofu for a protein-packed dish.
Swap out feta for goat cheese for a creamier texture, or blue cheese for a bolder flavor. Experiment with other nuts and seeds, introduce orange or mandarin segments. Mix in a bit or mayonnaise or tahini with the Greek yogurt for added richness, or substitute the dressing for a rapsberry vinaigrette.
Source
Food in the U.S.A.