Capture the festive spirit of the holidays with this vibrant and refreshing *Ensalada de Noche Buena* (Christmas Eve Salad). A cherished Mexican tradition, this visually stunning dish combines a medley of seasonal fruits and vegetables, including crisp romaine lettuce, sweet oranges, crunchy jicama, tender beets, and tart pomegranate seeds. Dressed in a zesty blend of lime juice, honey, and olive oil, and topped with walnuts for a nutty crunch, this salad is as delightful to prepare as it is to serve. Perfect for Christmas Eve or any holiday gathering, its beautiful layers of color and flavor will make it the star of your table. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for an elegant finishing touch, and impress your guests with this healthy and festive side dish!
Start by cooking the beets. Place them in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until tender. Allow them to cool, then peel and dice into bite-sized pieces.
While the beets are cooking, prep the fruits and vegetables. Peel and segment the oranges, dice the apple and pineapple, julienne the jicama, and thinly slice the radishes.
In a large serving dish, create a base layer with the romaine lettuce.
Arrange the diced beets, orange segments, diced apple, diced pineapple, pomegranate seeds, jicama, and sliced radishes over the lettuce in an attractive pattern.
Sprinkle the chopped walnuts evenly over the top of the salad.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and ground black pepper to create the dressing.
Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad, ensuring all the layers are lightly coated.
Optional: Garnish the salad with fresh mint leaves for an extra festive touch.
Serve immediately and enjoy this colorful and refreshing Christmas Eve tradition!
Calories |
1525 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 85.8 g | 110% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.5 g | 52% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1363 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 197.7 g | 72% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.4 g | 144% | |
| Total Sugars | 137.0 g | ||
| Protein | 21.0 g | 42% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 351 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 7.7 mg | 43% | |
| Potassium | 2721 mg | 58% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.