Festive holiday salad featuring feta, cranberries, nuts, and fresh herbs arranged as a tree centerpiece.
# Ingredient List:
→ Base Salad
01 - 2 cups baby spinach, finely chopped
02 - 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
03 - 1 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
04 - 1 small English cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced
→ Toppings
06 - 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
07 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
08 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish & Serving
15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration
16 - Assorted crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks for dipping
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Combine chopped spinach, parsley, dill, cucumber, and scallions in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over greens and toss gently to combine evenly.
04 - Transfer salad mixture to a large serving platter and shape into a triangular form resembling a holiday tree.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly over the shaped salad to mimic snow.
06 - Scatter dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and pomegranate seeds over the salad as ornamental accents.
07 - Place fresh rosemary sprigs at the base to represent the tree trunk and enhance festivity.
08 - Present immediately alongside crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks for dipping.
