Add a Little Lemon

I don’t normally think of salads when I think of cold, wintery weather and Christmas. But that is part of the magic of the season. You just never know what’s going to work and what’s not. The other day, Larry’s birthday, when we had a our festive lunch, Fun, Festive Christmas Lunch, I made a quick and easy salad to go with my torta rustica. It was a great combination. The salad had a delicious, light and lemony dressing that went very well with the meat and cheese filled torta rustica. This salad, like the torta rustica, would be good at any time of year as well, but you might have to forego the pomegranates, since they are a fruit we find mostly in winter.

Mixed Greens with Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette

3 cups fresh baby spinach, stems removed

3 cups mixed greens

3/4 cup spiced pecans, or toasted nuts, chopped, separated

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, separated

1 shallot, minced fine

1/2 cup olive oil

2 TBSP champagne vinegar

2 TBSP lemon juice

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

1 tsp honey

Mix the greens, spinach, most of the pecans (or nuts) and most of the pomegranate seeds together.

Mix the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, honey and shallots together.

Right before eating the salad, add the dressing and toss everything together well. Plate the salads up and top with the remaining pomegranate seeds and chopped pecans. This festive, lemony salad will definitely light up your taste buds for the holidays or any other time you choose to enjoy it.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays. Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.