Bring something new and special to your holiday table with this extremely quick and easy Winter Fruits Salad. It's the perfect plated appetizer or toss the ingredients together for a memorable winter salad to share.
Incorporate Seasonal Winter Fruits in your Salad
Do you ever get stuck on what to make for a holiday potluck? There are the old standbys that everyone loves, but sometimes it's fun to bring something new to the table. An elevated dish that can be tossed together but will still have all of you aunts and cousins asking for the recipe.
So this holiday season, I wanted to create a dish that was a feast for the eyes and the appetite. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors, along with the crunch of the walnuts and the creaminess of the feta cheese, makes this salad an absolute winner. Plus, the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables make it a visually appealing addition to any table.
Whenever I'm creating a new recipe, there are several factors I take into consideration.
- Seasonal produce
- Flavor combinations
- Textures
- Who will be eating and what else is being served
Any time I walk through the grocery store, I make sure to check out the fresh produce so I can see the seasonal selection. Around the holidays, red pears, citrus fruits, pomegranates, and cranberries were catching my eye. AND, I thought the bright, tangy flavors would be a nice complement to the more savory dishes that typically appear at holiday gatherings.
With that base in mind, I decided to flesh out the flavor palette with walnuts, feta cheese crumbles, and red onions. And, to top it off, a simple sunflower oil vinaigrette with some of the citrus and nutty flavors already found in the salad.
I was extremely pleased with how it turned out, and it was a hit at my family gathering too!
How to Make the Best Simple Winter Fruits Salad
A good salad recipe always begins with washing and preparing all of the ingredients.
- Wash and dry your greens before tearing or chopping them into smaller pieces if necessary.
- Wash the outside of the pears and pat dry.
- If you're individually plating your salads, the thin slivers are an attractive addition. Cut your pear in half vertically, then, with the flesh-side down, cut thin, vertical slices. This way, they will retain the pretty, curved shape of the pear.
- If you're serving the salad family-style, you may want smaller pieces so they can be more evenly distributed.
- Wash the outsides of the blackberries and cranberries before halving them with a paring knife.
- Slice the blood oranges with the rind still on, to create flat, circular, pieces. Then, remove the rind by making a cut through the rind and peeling around.
- Make sure your pomegranate is dry before cutting into it to avoid slipping. Use a paring knife to make a small incision in the skin of the pomegranate. Then, use your thumbs to pull the pomegranate into two halves and remove the seeds.
- Peel the red onion, and slice into small slivers.
If you are plating each salad, layer your prepared fruits with your greens in a visually appealing way. Then, sprinkle the salad with walnuts, feta crumbles, and red onions.
If you are preparing the salad family style, Lightly toss all of the ingredients with the greens until they are well-distributed. Try not to let all of the small pieces fall to the bottom of the dish, or toss the salad too vigorously, smushing the fruit.
Serve the salad with the tangy vinaigrette recipe included here, or your favorite dressing. If you want to serve the winter fruits salad pre-dressed, wait to add the vinaigrette until just before meal time.
Adding a Festive Touch
The bright colors of the fruit were such an inspiration to me as I was creating this salad recipe. I love combining unique flavors for new recipes, but I can't help but put my food photographer cap on as well.
Once the salad was plated and looking fabulous, I used the extra ingredients to spruce up my table setting. A swath of vibrant fruit made fun décor for the holiday table. And I couldn't resist whipping up a little cocktail to accompany my holiday fruits salad. (You'll find the recipe for my Pear Fizz below.)
Recreating this recipe for a live storytelling masterclass with SIGMA and B&H Event Space was a blast. We focused on telling a story with the images in an editorial style, complete with a magazine spread mockup! (Try it yourself with a free download here!)
If you would like to learn more about the food photography workshop and all of the juicy food photography details, check out our sister post on the SIGMA blog.
Finally, if you are interested in the expert storytelling tips we pulled from the principles of editorial food photography, check out this post! We really dug into how to best capture the memories we make when gathered with family around the holiday table.
While I couldn't capture my recipe in this way during my holiday gathering, I strive, through my images, to capture the love, laugher, and memories also brought to the holiday table.
Thank you so much for visiting the Little Rusted Ladle Blog! We spend a lot of time here indulging in our love of food and food photography. If you're interested in hearing more from me, and keeping up on the live classes and teaching I do pretty frequently, join our mailing list!
Bountiful Winter Fruits Salad
Ingredients
- your favorite greens
- red pears sliced
- blackberries halved
- blood oranges sliced and peeled
- cranberries halved
- pomegranate seeds
- red onion finely sliced
- walnut pieces
- feta cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Wash and prepare your fruit and greens as desired.
- Add greens to a serving dish and layer artfully with the fruit.
- Sprinkle red onion, walnuts, and feta cheese on top.
- Serve with a side of vinaigrette.
Simple Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sunflower oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- blood orange zest
- 1 tbsp blood orange juice
- 1/2 tsp roast cinnamon
- 1/2 inch ginger root grated
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine ingredients and serve on the side.
Ingredients
- 1 shot Absolut pear vodka
- 1 tsp homemade simple syrup
- cranberry seltzer water
Instructions
- Mix vodka and simple syrup in a glass.
- Top with cranberry seltzer water.
- Garnish with sliced pear, cranberries, and rosemary.
thefriskys says
hiI like your writing so much share we be in contact more approximately your article on AOL I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem Maybe that is you Looking ahead to see you
سورة البقرة مكررة says
Your blog is a testament to your dedication to your craft. Your commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of your writing. Thank you for being such a positive influence in the online community.
AaronSlasp says
Another important reason to change to solar technology could be the cost benefits it gives. Solar energy panels can handle generating electricity for businesses, reducing or eliminating the necessity for traditional sourced elements of energy. This could end up in significant savings on energy bills, especially in areas with a high energy costs. Furthermore, there are many government incentives and tax credits open to companies that adopt solar power, rendering it much more cost-effective and affordable.
The technology behind solar power is not at all hard, yet highly effective. Solar power panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity are able to be kept in batteries or fed straight into the electrical grid, with regards to the specific system design. So that you can maximize the many benefits of solar technology, it is essential to design a custom system this is certainly tailored to your particular energy needs and requirements. This can make sure that you have the proper components in position, including the appropriate amount of solar power panels while the right style of batteries, to maximise your time efficiency and value savings.
[url=https://soundcloud.com/matthew-dagati/matt-dagati]Chris d’angelo’s insights about budget-friendly electricity supported from Matt dagati.[/url]
[url=https://artsynest.in/blog/restoring-furniture-with-eco-friendly-paint-5]Off-Grid Solar Systems for Remote Places[/url] c6069e0
itsreleased says
you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic
CarmelaTroge says
Matt Michael D’Agati acts as the owner of Renewables Worldwide, an Solar Firm in MA.
A handful of period ago, venturing into a leap of faith, Matt D’Agati stepped into the realm of alternative energy, to in a short duration started efficiently promoting significant amounts of power, predominately when the corporate industry, working with developers of solar farms and local businesses in the “design” of specific initiatives.
Ongoing networks in to the markets, encouraged Matthew to become a member a town startup 2 long time backwards, and within a brief period, he became their Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing all procedures and organization building, in addition to being advertised minority property.
By using strategic joint ventures and sheer job ethical code, Matt D’Agati brought that companionship from a marginal 1st-year revenue to in excess of a 250% build up in total revenues by day two. Building on that basis, RW, a warhorse-held business, was designed with pursuit of offering sustainable power options for an intelligent and more supportable future.
Increased exclusively, realizing there is a specific market in the market place and an enhanced method to generate results, RW is one of a handful of employers in the US to really concentrate on guest acquisition, concentrating in both retail and home solar energy grazing off-take. Personal perception is to generate a product sales base on a regional, statewide, national level, offering a multitude of alternative stamina merchandise just in the of RW.
This passion in that renewable sector continues on to excite and motivate Matt in enduring his venture to work with establishments that show the equivalent of giving inexhaustible power remedies for a better environmentally friendly possible future. Matt presents your in businesses from Hesser College.
[url=https://www.slideshare.net/MattDAgati1]Delving into sun-powered energy globe views by Matthew dagati.[/url]
[url=https://forum.strefa.audio/showthread.php?tid=1757]Energy-efficient Energy as a Solution to Power Safety Fears by matt d’agatiMatt D’Agati[/url] 805838c
minihints says
Obrigado, estou procurando informações sobre esse tópico há algum tempo e a sua é a melhor que descobri até agora. Mas e em relação aos resultados financeiros? Você tem certeza sobre o fornecimento
MildredWok says
Monitor Your Property’s Property with Environmentally-Conscious Sun-Powered Security Devices
Excited about green security options that lessen your carbon footprint? Look no more than environmentally conscious solar-powered security devices—the environmentally-friendly alternative for surveillance. Equipped with integrated solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and energy-efficient structures, these surveillance tools supply reliable performance without depending on traditional power sources. Imagine experiencing the confidence that comes from understanding your security system is run by the sun, cutting your electricity expenditures and green effect.
Consider the Reolink Argus 3 Pro, a solar-driven tool that combines high-tech technological advancements with sustainable design. Whether you’re protecting your yard, observing your remote property, or overseeing your self-sufficient cabin, this device supplies trustworthy performance and environmentally conscious operation. Upgrade to green solar-powered security devices today and embrace a greener approach to watching.
[url=https://ultiumateipcams.store/product/tuya-1080p-wifi-wireless-floodlight-camera-10w-wall-light-surveillance-cameras-outdoor-motion-detection-smart-night-vision-audio/]Tuya 1080P WiFi Wireless Floodlight Camera[/url]
[url=https://islamicrishta.com/signup.php?errid=121]Examining High-tech Security Steps and The Latest Discoveries[/url] 0279c58
Jogos de loteria says
Eu li algumas coisas excelentes aqui Definitivamente vale a pena marcar como favorito para revisitar Eu me pergunto quanto esforço você fez para fazer esse tipo de site informativo excelente
etruesports says
Fantastic beat I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog site The account helped me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
celebio says
Your blog is a beacon of light in the often murky waters of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Keep up the amazing work!
theorangedip says
Hey there You have done a fantastic job I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends Im confident theyll be benefited from this site
floatswitchs says
What i dont understood is in reality how youre now not really a lot more smartlyfavored than you might be now Youre very intelligent You understand therefore significantly in terms of this topic produced me personally believe it from a lot of numerous angles Its like women and men are not interested except it is one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga Your own stuffs outstanding Always care for it up
freeskyguide says
Thank you I have just been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain concerning the supply
8171ehsaasnews says
Wonderful beat I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog web site The account aided me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
smorter giremal says
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information about this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the supply?