Description
A festive and visually stunning Christmas Wreath Salad featuring fresh arugula, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, candied pecans, pomegranate seeds, and mozzarella pearls. Perfect for holiday parties, this salad combines crunchy, sweet, and tangy flavors arranged beautifully on a platter.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cucumber – sliced into thin quarters
- 10 oz. cherry tomatoes – sliced in half
- 1 small red onion – thinly sliced into rings
- ½ cup candied pecans
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds (arils)
- 5 oz. arugula
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls
Instructions
- Prepare the Platter Place a 6 oz. ramekin or small bowl in the center of a 12.5-inch round platter or plate to act as a guide for the wreath shape.
- Add Arugula Base Arrange 5 oz. of arugula evenly around the ramekin in a circular wreath shape around the center of the platter.
- Layer Vegetables and Pecans Starting with the thinly sliced red onion rings, place them evenly on top of the arugula, followed by the thinly quartered cucumber slices and then scatter ½ cup candied pecans over the greens and vegetables.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes and Pomegranate Neatly place the halved cherry tomatoes on top, ensuring an even distribution. Then sprinkle ¼ cup pomegranate seeds (arils) over the salad for color and freshness.
- Incorporate Mozzarella Pearls Stagger ¼ cup of mozzarella pearls throughout the salad, placing them in-between the veggies, pomegranate seeds, and pecans to create a festive “snowball” effect.
Notes
- This salad can be prepared hours ahead of serving. Cover tightly with cellophane and refrigerate to prevent the arugula from wilting.
- If mozzarella pearls are unavailable, substitute with feta cheese cut into large chunks for a similar effect.
- Use a light, non-creamy dressing such as Apple Cider Vinaigrette to avoid making the salad look messy.
- Ensure the platter is large enough (about 12.5 inches) for proper wreath presentation.
