Description
Festive holiday “Merry Christmas Salad” brings Mediterranean sparkle to winter gatherings with crisp greens and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds. Guests will savor each colorful forkful of this elegant seasonal dish that promises celebration on every plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 2 cups cauliflower, chopped into small florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 medium red onion, sliced thinly
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Topping:
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Transform fresh broccoli and cauliflower into delicate, mini clusters, ensuring each floret is roughly uniform in size for consistent texture and even dressing distribution.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, vinegar, and black pepper in a compact mixing vessel until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
- Transfer the prepared vegetable medley into a spacious bowl, gently introducing the chopped red onion and halved cherry tomatoes to establish a colorful foundation.
- Cascade the meticulously crafted dressing over the vegetable ensemble, employing a delicate folding technique to ensure each morsel receives an elegant coating.
- For additional richness, sprinkle shredded cheddar across the salad, using a light touch to distribute the cheese evenly without overwhelming the delicate vegetable composition.
- Seal the bowl with a secure lid or protective wrap, then nestle the salad into the refrigerator’s cool embrace for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- When ready to serve, retrieve the chilled salad and present it as a vibrant, refreshing accompaniment that celebrates the festive spirit of the season.
Notes
- Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent texture and even dressing coverage.
- Chill ingredients before mixing to maintain crisp vegetable texture and enhance flavor absorption.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that adds tangy richness.
- Make ahead and let the salad sit overnight to develop deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg