Holiday Citrus & Pomegranate Salad (A Bright Finish)
Holiday Citrus & Pomegranate Salad (A Bright Finish)
After a rich holiday meal, this simple citrus and pomegranate salad is the reset. Bright, crisp, and composed, it’s the perfect way to end a heavy dinner without skipping the comfort.
After the heaviness of the holidays, a simple, bright salad feels like exactly the right move. Served after my wife’s meatball lasagna, this one is crisp, fresh, and a little palate-cleansing—just enough contrast to round out the meal without stealing the spotlight. It’s the kind of ending that lets you enjoy the comfort and leave the table feeling good.
This is a composed salad—not a toss-everything-together situation. Each ingredient keeps its identity, and the final plate feels intentional, calm, and festive without being fussy.
Maple–Orange Dijon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp fresh orange juice
1½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1½ tsp Dijon mustard
1–2 tsp maple syrup (to taste)
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Method
In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, and maple syrup. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
The goal here is balance: bright first, lightly sweet second.
Salad Components
Radicchio, thinly sliced
Arugula
Pomegranate seeds
Mandarin orange sections
Pecans, lightly toasted and chopped
Sliced fennel (very thin)
Optional: red onion, thinly sliced and chilled in ice water for 10 minutes, then drained
How to Assemble (Composed, Not Tossed)
Dress the greens only
In a large bowl, gently toss the radicchio, romaine, and fennel with just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat. Nothing should look glossy or weighed down.
Build the base
Transfer the greens to a serving bowl, piling them loosely in the center and leaving some space around the edges.
Add the accents
Nestle mandarin orange sections on top. Scatter pomegranate seeds in small clusters rather than evenly across the whole salad. Add the nuts in a few intentional spots.
Finish thoughtfully
Add a few strands of red onion if using. Finish with a pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper. If needed, spoon a teaspoon of dressing around the base—not over the top.
A Small Note
This salad isn’t meant to compete with a rich main dish. It’s here to reset your palate, bring some freshness back to the table, and quietly signal that the meal is winding down. After appetizers, lasagna, and hours at the table, that feels like enough.
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Made with Bullet