Spinach Salad with Shaved Apples, Pomegranate, Avocado and Pomegranate Vinaigrette


Christmas is over and my waistline is very thankful for that!  

As much as I love Thanksgiving and Christmas (mostly for all the carb filled foods) when it's over I breath a little sigh of relief.  After all it is the only time you can eat candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, creamed veggies, stuffing, bread and pumpkin pie, all in one night! *Yikes*


After all the festivities and most of the leftovers are gone, I crave a dish that is light and refreshing.  I love balsamic dressings but find they can be slightly on the heavy side.

This pomegranate vinaigrette is extremely refreshing and compliments this salad wonderfully!  I used an avocado oil for the base which is supposed to be a bit healthier, although very similar to olive oil.

I was craving a light salad but to make it a meal add gorgonzola cheese and candied pecans.


 I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a happy New Year!

Layla Grayce Giveaway Winner: Candace!! I'll email you shortly, Congrats! 

Spinach Salad with a Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Recipe and Vinaigrette Adapted by Epicurean Mom
Serves 4

Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/3 cup avocado oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (I used a cabernet vinegar)
3 tablespoons apple juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 small shallot, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Pour pomegranate juice and olive oil together in a small and deep container, using a whisk in both hands rub vigorously the whisk to combine well.  

Add the red wine vinegar, apple juice, honey and shallots, mixing well with the whisk.  Season with salt and pepper, set aside.  Be sure to whisk the vinaigrette well before drizzling over salad.

Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/2 bunches spinach leaves, washed and dried
1 apple, peeled and shaved
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1 avocado, peeled and sliced

*Optional*
Sprinkle of candied walnuts
Crumbles of gorgonzola cheese 

Arrange spinach leaves on a salad plates, evenly distribute apples, pomegranate seed and avocado over spinach.  Drizzle with pomegranate dressing and top, if desired, with candies walnuts and gorgonzola.

*Note* Vinaigrette will keep in the fridge for up to a week in a airtight container.  I would suggest using olive oil if planning on reusing, avocado oil will thicken and separate in the fridge. 

16 comments:

  1. It looks refreshing, and definitely figure friendly after eating so much during the holidays.

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  2. Yummm, can we have one tonight???? LU Bill

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  3. What a fantastic combination, Katie. I can imagine how fresh and light this tastes. Recipes like this are a necessity after the holidays!

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  4. What a beautiful salad and such a lovely combination! I was trying to think of something like this with a few avocados and left over pomegranate seeds and this is perfect!

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  5. What a delicious salad! Some great ingredients, and great combination!

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  6. What a gorgeous looking salad, Katie!

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  7. I am on a food coma at this time of the year...;)
    I have to make this spinach salad...light and healthy just what we need. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Gorgeous salad Katie!!! This is exactly the type of thing I crave after Christmas is over too. So fresh and light.

    Happy New Year to you and your gorgeous family and best wishes for 2012.

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  9. I love the splash of colour from the pomegranates. It makes the salad look so festive!

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  10. Such a beautiful salad!
    Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

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  11. Oh how I love this fresh & light salad!! A fun vinaigrette too. Happy new year my friend :) xo

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  12. Avocado and pomegranate? The perfect combination! This salad looks great!

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  13. I came over here looking for those pancakes (I obviously missed the sneak peek part) and found this instead. Blah! Just kidding. :)

    I don't like salad but my husband prefers it to baked goods and is in love with avocados at the moment. I thought I'd make this for him but two of vinaigrette ingredients aren't available in Germany. Oh well.

    The pictures are gorgeous. How do you get them to be so airy and bright all the time? Is there a secret or do you just live in an extremely sunny place with a really sunny spot in your house?

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  14. Love this....the dressing sounds incredible!

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  15. This looks amazing...just wondering if you thought the dressing can last a while in the refrigerator??

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  16. Hi Jana! Thanks for this comment, I adjusted the post! To answer your question...yes you definitely can keep it for a week, although if you use avocado oil it'll separate in the fridge. I would recommend using olive oil if you want to reuse it. :)

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