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Oh, and if the pomegranates are a stumbling block, I've got you covered - it really couldn't be simpler. Check out this post for the easiest way EVER to coax the delicious seeds from this lovely fruit. The best part of all is that pomegranates are very inexpensive right now. I bought them for a measly $.79 (now $ .59!) at Aldi Foods, but other markets are running great specials right now too. So there! No more excuses, just make it!
Did I say that you'll be falling in love with this one?
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Avocado and Pomegranate Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups butter lettuce and arugula, or your favorite greens
- 1 medium avocado, pit and peel removed and thinly sliced
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds, see tutorial on How to Deseed a Pomegranate in less than a Minute!!
- ½ cup sweet 'n spicy pecans, see recipe
- For the vinaigrette:
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon very finely minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- For the salad - Place greens in a large bowl. Add avocado, about ¼ cup of the dressing and toss gently. Sprinkle with pomegranates and candied pecans. Sprinkle salad lightly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pass extra dressing at the table.
- For the vinaigrette - Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and shake well to combine.
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Candied Sweet and Spicy Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pecan halves
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- vegetable spray for greasing pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a sheet pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a microwave-safe medium-size bowl combine butter, sugar, honey, water and spices. Heat on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. Heat for another 30 seconds and stir well. Add pecans and stir to coat. Don't worry if the mixture seems a bit thick. It will thin out and coat the pecans in the oven
- Turn pecans out onto prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until deep golden brown. Remove from oven, stir to separate and cool on pan.
- On a work surface, lay another sheet of aluminum foil and lightly grease it. Carefully move the pecans from the cookie sheet onto the foil. Sprinkle with salt. Separate the pecans and allow them to cool. (Can be made one week ahead. Seal in an airtight container)
Notes
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You are so sweet Mary! And I love hearing that someone enjoys one of my recipes! Have a blessed Christmas with family and friends!
FYI - I am making this salad for Tuesday night when I am making a Christmas dinner for friends who are gone for the holidays. Serving it with your pork tenderloin and lentils. Then I am serving the same salad on Christmas day. You're a star in my house and with me.
What a beautiful salad, Chris!
I swoon over pomegranate! Beautiful salad Chris. No wonder you've fallen in love.
What an absolutely gorgeous salad! A must try 🙂
Hi Chris, very tempting salad. Love the combination and lovely color as well.
Thanks for sharing the recipes.
Have a lovely weekend, regards.
Beautiful vibrant colored salad, looks delicious!!!
I just made my first batch of sweet and spicy pecans, wow- couldn't stop eating them;-) I know I would love your salad;-)
What an amazing salad, Chris!!!Lots of color, flavor and crunch in a single plate! I hope you had a Blessed Thanksgiving celebration!XOXO
I've recently fallen in love with pomegranates! Just this evening I chastized my mom for never getting us pomegranates when I was little. She shot right back that I refuse to eat them when I was little! Oh well... now I love them, and so does Liv.
LOVE the spicy nuts recipe!! I've been looking for something like that this season.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!! I hope you had a wonderful day!
What a gorgeous fall salad! Loving the combo of avocados, candied pecans and pomegranate arils! YUM!
This salad looks spectacular. I've never used pomegranates at home, but it makes this salad look gorgeous.
Happy Thanksgiving!
how attractive looking salad! i hope to try pomegranates one day. Happy thanksgiving to you!
Gorgeous salad! I don't get to incorporate much pomegranate into my diet so this here is just perfect! Have a great Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful recipe and jaw dropping pictures. Thanks to you and Scott.
You have me hooked on those pomegranate seeds! I can't get enough of them...lol! This salad looks sooo good! And the photos are great. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
This would be a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving table.
Wishing your family all the blessings of Thanksgiving!
It's so pretty Chris! What a lovely way to add some festive colour the to the Christmas table. Happy Thanksgiving!
What a beautiful and delicious salad.
I love the new look of your blog! This salad looks great, I have found I can buy the pomegranate seeds on their own, so even better 🙂
What a wonderful salad! The colour, texture and nutrients...are just perfect!
I love the simplicity! Can't wait to give it a try myself! Thank you Chris!
What a delightful combination! I love the sound of that vinegrette, and pomegranate makes it that extra special. Very nice, cant wait to try. Thanks for the link to remove the seeds..i was just cracking my head on that one!
What a perfect salad! Crunchy, soft, sharp, mild all in the one bowl!
I think we all may be in love with this one. I think this will definitely make at least one holiday table. Happy Thanksgiving .
Gorgeous salad!! Your salad would be perfect served at Thanksgiving dinner. Have a great day!!
Such a pretty salad to serve when entertaining. I follow by email but have not gotten your last few posts...hope it is just a slight glitch. Your curried soup sounds delicious as well.
What a delicious and colorful salad!I love it!Have a lovely day,dear Chris!
Oh this looks wonderfully fresh and delicious! My daughter just recently developed a craze for Pomegranates. Maybe I could even get her to eat some salad 🙂
I have actually pretty much everything to prepare this salad... Plus, I no will be better to seed pomegrenate! Thanks to you!
It is gorgeous and delish. sandie
This salad looks fresh, healthy and really delicious!
Love your gorgeous salad with the vivid colors, and the pairing of the avocado and pomegranate! The vinaigrette is so awesome...will be bookmarking and saving this salad recipe:)
what beautiful look this salad with pomegranate!x
Beautiful salad, Chris! The colors are so festive - perfect for the holidays!
Is the vinegar really just 1/4 tbsp or do you mean a 1/4 cup. Doesn't seem like much acidity even with the juices for that amount of oil.
Chris...this has to be the MOST PERFECT salad I've ever seen! It's just beautiful! I love every ingredient in it...especially the pomegranate seeds. They just make everything so special! LOVE this one! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! : )