Looking for a vibrant, flavorful dish to brighten up your Christmas table? Look no further than this festive Christmas Green Salad with Colorful Cheese Balls! It’s a delightful mix of seasonal greens, dried fruits, nuts, and cheese balls that steal the spotlight. This salad is perfect for the holiday season, bringing together freshness and indulgence in every bite.
The origin of this recipe stems from the desire to create a visually stunning and delicious dish for festive gatherings. Combining the freshness of seasonal greens with the sweetness of dried fruits, the crunch of nuts, and the savory allure of cheese balls, this recipe embodies the holiday spirit on a plate. It’s a celebration of colors, flavors, and textures that elevate any Christmas meal.
Contents
Ingredients to make Christmas Green Salad with Colorful Cheese Balls
This Christmas salad boasts a vibrant mix of ingredients that come together in harmony:
Seasonal Greens:
The mixed seasonal greens and wild arugula form the vibrant base of this salad. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, these greens offer a fresh, earthy flavor and a crisp texture. They add a burst of color and a nutritious punch to your holiday feast.
Dried Cranberries & Figs:
Bringing a delightful sweetness, dried cranberries and thinly sliced figs offer a chewy texture and a burst of fruity flavors to contrast with the greens. These ingredients aren’t just delicious; they also pack a dose of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Bell Pepper from Florina & Orange:
The Florina bell pepper (or any other red pepper) and fresh orange segments add a vibrant touch and a citrusy zing to the salad. Their juicy, refreshing taste complements the greens and balances the overall flavor profile.
Pumpkin Seeds & Aegina Pistachios:
Adding a satisfying crunch, pumpkin seeds and coarsely chopped Aegina pistachios (or any other pistachios) provide a nutty flavor profile and a boost of healthy fats, protein, and essential nutrients like magnesium and zinc.
Dressing Magic:
The dressing—comprised of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, fresh orange juice, mild mustard, and a pinch of salt—brings the entire salad together. It not only enhances the flavors but also lends a luscious texture to every bite.
Colorful Cheese Balls:
The star attraction! These delightful cheese balls are a combination of creamy mascarpone and tangy feta cheese, with a hint of ground walnuts and pepper for depth of flavor. Coated with a mixture of chopped pistachios, parsley, and cranberries, they add a luxurious touch to the salad.
All the needed ingredients
For the Green Salad:
- 2 bunches of mixed seasonal greens
- 1 bunch of wild arugula
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 Florina bell pepper
- 8 dried figs, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, peeled and cut into small squares
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp coarsely chopped Aegina pistachios (or any other pistachios)
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3-4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp mild mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Colorful Cheese Balls:
- 300g mascarpone cheese
- 200g feta cheese
- 2 tbsp ground walnuts
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Coating for the Cheese Balls:
- 100g coarsely chopped Aegina pistachios
- 2-3 tbsp finely chopped parsley leaves
- 1 cup cranberries
How to Prepare Christmas Green Salad with Colorful Cheese Balls
Let’s start with the star of the show—the colorful cheese balls. Combine crumbled feta cheese, mascarpone cheese, ground walnuts, and freshly ground pepper until they form a firm mixture. Shape this mixture into walnut-sized balls, coat them generously with the prepared mixture of chopped pistachios, parsley leaves, and cranberries, and let them chill in the refrigerator.
Now, onto the vibrant salad base! Wash and drain the greens and arugula before arranging them on a platter. Add diced green and Florina peppers (or any other red bell pepper), along with orange pieces, to the greens. Mix the dressing ingredients thoroughly, drizzle it over the salad, and gently toss to coat the greens evenly.
Sprinkle the salad with sliced figs, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and more pistachios for that added crunch. Finally, place the prepared and chilled cheese balls atop the salad to create a visually stunning masterpiece.
Serving your Christmas Green Salad
This festive Christmas Green Salad with Colorful Cheese Balls is a feast for the eyes and the palate. Serve it as a vibrant centerpiece dish, allowing guests to marvel at its beauty before indulging in its delightful combination of flavors. The salad pairs beautifully with roasted meats or serves as a refreshing standalone dish during your holiday gatherings.
Enjoying your dish
Cooking and enjoying this recipe is an experience that goes beyond taste. It’s about creating a visual spectacle that tantalizes taste buds with each bite. So, this holiday season, treat yourself and your loved ones to this Christmas Green Salad with Colorful Cheese Balls—a dish that embodies the joy and festivity of the season while delighting every palate at the table.
Christmas Green Salad Recipe with Colorful Cheese Balls
Ingredients
Ingredients for the salad:
- 2 piece seasonal green mixed salads
- 1 bunch wild rocket
- 1/2 teacup dried cranberries
- 1 piece Florina pepper or any other red bell pepper
- 8 piece dried figs cut into thin slices
- 1 piece orange peeled and cut into small squares
- 2 tbsps pumpkin seed
- 2 tbsps Aegina pistachios coarsely chopped
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 teacup olive oil
- 3 - 4 tbsps balsamic
- 2 tbsps honey
- 4 tbsps fresh orange juice
- 1 κ.γ. mild mustard
- 1/2 κ.γ. salt
Ingredients for the colorful cheese balls:
- 300 grams mascarpone
- 200 grams feta cheese
- 2 tbsps walnuts ground like powder
- freshly ground pepper
Coating for the cheese balls:
- 100 grams Aegina pistachios or other pistachios coarsely chopped
- 2 - 3 tbsps parsley finely chopped, just the leaves
- 1 teacup cranberries
Instructions
- Start by preparing the cheese balls so that they have time to chill in the refrigerator.
- Crumble the feta cheese into a bowl and add the mascarpone cheese, ground walnuts, and a dash of freshly ground pepper. Mix well until the cheeses form a tight mixture.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours until the mixture firms up. Meanwhile, prepare the coating by combining all the coating ingredients in a shallow dish and mixing well.
- Remove the cheese mixture from the refrigerator and shape it into balls the size of a large walnut using your hands. Roll the balls in the prepared coating, making sure they are well covered.
- Once the cheese balls are coated, arrange them on a platter and place them in the refrigerator until it's time to serve.
- For the salad, thoroughly wash the greens and arugula, drain them, and spread them on a platter. Place the green pepper and Florina pepper, cut into small squares, along with the orange pieces on top.
- Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix with a whisk until the ingredients are well combined and the dressing thickens. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the sliced figs, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and Aegina pistachios over the entire surface of the salad. Arrange the prepared cheese balls on top of the salad and serve immediately.
Notes
- Always add the dressing to the salad just before serving to prevent the acidic ingredients like vinegar and fruit juices from wilting the greens.
- You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins and Aegina pistachios with any other favorite nuts or white and black sesame seeds.
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