Winter Salads: Pomegranate, Pear & Feta Salad

This is the perfect winter salad that would be great on a brunch buffet, entertaining, or at a Sunday dinner!

Pomegranate, Pear & Feta Salad

We are big on salads anytime of the year and this one is filled with pears, pomegranate seeds, almonds, and feta all on a bed of green leaf lettuce. This salad is gorgeous and bright.  Another plus is that it can be made ahead of time.  Serve it with a simple white wine vinaigrette for one wonderful winter salad.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• Green leaf lettuce 

• D 'Anjou Pears

• Pomegranate Seeds

• Sliced Almonds

• Cucumber

• Feta Cheese

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• White Wine Vinegar

• Dijon Mustard

• Honey

Substitutions and Variations

• Use any type pear you like

• Use apple instead of pear

• Try kale, arugula, or spinach for the base

• Make a pomegranate dressing using pomegranate juice

• Try crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese.

• Pistachios would be a great substitute for the almonds

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Buy Pomegranate Seeds in the frozen aisle.  Use what you want and keep the rest in the freezer. (plus they are cheaper!)

• I buy sliced almonds for convenience, they are perfectly thin and delicate and it saves me loads of time.  I also use them on yogurt, ice cream, and as a topping for many side dishes.

• Try to get firm, yet ripe, pears.  It will hold up better in the salad.

• Serve it in a beautiful serving bowl for a wow presentation.

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Pomegranate, Pear & Feta Salad

serves 6

Salad:

1/2 head of green leaf lettuce, chopped
2 D 'Anjou Pears, cored and chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 cucumber, chopped
2 oz feta cheese, crumbled

White Wine Dressing:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

pinch of black pepper

In a large bowl combine lettuce, pears, pomegranate, almonds, and cucumber.  Sprinkle with feta cheese.  For dressing combine all ingredients in a jar and shake to combine.  Drizzle over the top of the salad and toss.

 

Winter Cocktails: Cranberry Margaritas

The perfect winter margarita has all the flavors of the season.  Cranberry juice and citrus flavors create a bold flavored cocktail to enjoy all winter long!

Cranberry Margaritas

Everyone loves a good margarita and having one that is quick an easy AND reminds you of the season/holidays is a bonus.  These come together in no time.  They are easy to make one glass at a time or in a pitcher for a crowd.

I like my margaritas on the rocks with no salt.  Feel free to blend these up in a blender for frozen style margaritas and to salt or sugar the rims of your glasses if you would like.  We threw these together while decorating our Christmas tree this year and had them again on New Year's day.  We are having friends over for a little dinner this weekend and I'll be serving these along with some appetizers before the meal.  They really are good!   Be sure to read my tips below for suggestions on the cranberry juice.

Enjoy!

P.S.  I really need help in shooting drink pictures...these are horrible!  Anyone have some foolproof tips?

What Ingredients do I need?

• Cranberry juice - I would choose a sweetened one instead of pure juice.  It could be a little tart and then you would need to add some sugar to the drink.

• Ice - for on the rock or frozen versions ice is key

• Tequila - either a silver or blanco tequila will work best.  I use Casamigos blanco.

• Orange liqueur - Grand Marnier or Triple Sec both work well.

• Limes - fresh lime juice is best

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Cranberry Juice - I would choose your favorite, and one that is sweetened.  Pure cranberry juice is very tart and your drink will need added sugar.  

• Try a cranberry juice blend such as cranberry raspberry or cranberry pomegranate for a twist on the flavor.

• You can salt or sugar the rim of your glass if you choose.  Rub the outside rim of a glass with a lime wedge and dip it in the salt or sugar that has been placed on a plate.  Here is a nice chunky salt.

• Garnish your drink with a lime wedge, orange wedge, or float some cranberries.

• You can mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker if you like and them pour them all in a glass, or mix it straight in the glass.

• Increase the ingredients to make a pitcher of margaritas.

• A shot glass is handy for measuring ounces.  I use this one.

• Consider some fun margarita glasses like this one or this one.

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Cranberry Margaritas

serving:  1


ice
2/3 -1 cup cranberry juice
1 oz lime juice or the juice of 1/2 lime
1.5 - 2 oz silver tequila
1/2 oz Triple Sec or Grand Marnier


In a glass combine all ingredients and stir to combine.  

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Fresh Start: Healthy Breakfast or Brunch Plate

A breakfast or brunch plate filled with protein and nutrient rich items.  It's healthy eating without restricted dieting!

Healthy Breakfast or Brunch Plate

Are you one of those people that like a fresh, healthy start to the New Year!  While we try to eat healthy most of the time we always make an effort to get back on track after all the holiday indulgences!  Today's post is not a recipe but an inspiration on a healthy way to build your breakfast or brunch plate.  

Breakfast doesn't have to be filled with sweet pastry, pancakes, or waffle items.  Salad or veggies for breakfast? Of course! This plate is filled with protein, healthy fats, and nutrients.  Hopefully this will inspire you to change up your breakfast routine to include some different items.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need to re-create this?

• Eggs - make them scrambled, poached, or fried.  Good source of proteins, unsaturated fats, and vitamins.  My scrambles are here and here.

• Avocado - ripe sliced avocado provides healthy fats, vitamins, and potassium.

• Grapes - great source of vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants.

• Bananas - great source of potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. 

• Whole Wheat bread - great source for fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.  Can help in lowering cholesterol.

• Greek yogurt cream cheese - provides more protein and half the fat of regular cream cheese.

• Cucumber - filled with water for hydration, fiber, and vitamins.

• Tomatoes - great source of antioxidants and vitamins.

• Olive oil - rich in healthy fats

• Red Wine Vinegar - lowers blood sugars, nutrients, iron, vitamins.

Substitutions and Variations

• Whole wheat bagel topped with cream cheese and lox.

• Any type of fruit

• Avocado toast

• An omelet with vegetables mixed in.

• Have a side salad with a mix of vegetables along with your eggs.

• Hard boiled eggs.

• Add cheese cubes to the dish.

• Add a mix of nuts and dried fruit.

• Grilled asparagus and tomatoes.

• Slices of deli ham or turkey.

• Add greek salad with feta.

• Marinated or roasted chickpeas.

• Vegetable fritters - any type.

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Healthy Breakfast or Brunch Plate

To a plate add scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, toasted whole wheat bread that has been spread with Greek yogurt cream cheese and topped with sliced bananas.  Add a cluster of grapes, and a healthy serving of chopped cucumbers and cherry tomatoes tossed with olive oil and red wine vinegar.