Pear Pomegranate and Spinach Salad
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s definitely not too early to start planning your holiday menu. My family is going to be coming to my house this year so I know I’ve been thinking about what I’ll be serving already. Today I was thinking about which salads we’ll be having so I thought I’d test some out. I happened to have a bunch of pomegranates on hand so I decided to build a salad around those. I love how festive the arils look in this salad when paired with the greens, and of course, I’m in love with the entire flavor combination of this pear pomegranate and spinach salad!
Pomegranate Salad Recipe
I first tested a version of this salad that included bacon in the ingredients and believe it or not bacon just didn’t seem to have a place with this type of salad. It’s probably the first time I didn’t like bacon in something. I just love the fruitiness and sweetness of this salad without the overwhelming distraction of salty pork. I do however love the slight tang of the feta and the depth of flavor from toasting the nuts paired with the sweetness of this salad, they just balance things out. I also really enjoyed the faint honey flavor in the vinaigrette which I felt brought the salad and the dressing together while its gentle sweetness toned down the acidity of the dressing. Good salad recipes are always marked by balance!
Fall Salad Variations
There are so many fun ways to mix up this salad to use seasonal vegetables or to accommodate the dietary needs of your loved ones during the holiday season. Try these variations:
Try goat cheese for a creamier taste than feta Swap the spinach for more mild lettuce, or kale or arugula for a stronger flavor Add sharper flavor with red onions or lemon juice Use pomegranate juice and maple syrup to create a vinaigrette Add roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash for more fall flavors
This salad has definitely made the cut for my holiday menu (I don’t think I’ll want to wait until the holidays to make it again)! I hope you love it too!
