Dried cranberries, pecans and blue cheese come together with a slightly sweet poppy seed dressing. This salad is becoming a tradition during the holiday season for us, served at our Christmas dinner. With the mix of sweet and salty, it’s the perfect introduction to the rich foods that follow.
I am so honored to be a part of Share Our Strength’s 7-course progressive dinner Share Our Holiday Table with 50 other bloggers this week. Through Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, they aim to raise awareness and provide meals so that no child is hungry this holiday season. Just one dollar can provide ten healthy meals for a child.
Several years ago, when it was just Kiera and me, I remember how much the gift basket stuffed with food that was gifted to us meant. In a season that is meant for joy and happiness, it was a blessing to have some of the financial stress lifted for such a basic need so that we could focus on other things like holiday parades and snowball fights, hot chocolate and decorating a Christmas tree. I hope you’ll consider giving that gift to a child this holiday season.
The dressing for the salad comes together quickly. Homemade mayonnaise and Greek yogurt meet apple cider vinegar and a bit of orange blossom honey. Of course, there are also poppy seeds.
Mix it all together.
We use all romaine for this. It provides the right amount of crunch to contrast the chewy cranberries.
Top the romaine with toasted pecans, cranberries, scallions and blue cheese, and then wait until you’re ready to serve to add the dressing and toss.
This cranberry salad with poppy seed dressing is one both kids and adults appreciate. Something about the little bursts of cranberries paired with salty cheese bits and crunchy pecans keeps us coming back year after year for more.
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Food For My Family
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3 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup pecans, toasted
1 cup dried cranberries
4-5 scallions, finely chopped
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
optional for main dish: 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced thinly
Poppy Seed Dressing (below)
Toss together romaine, pecans, dried cranberries, scallions and blue cheese. Pour dressing over and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Poppy Seed Dressing
1/2 cup homemade mayonnaise (or jarred)
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons honey or sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
Mix together all ingredients until creamy. Pour over salad and toss just before serving.
Makes 10 side salads or 5 large salads.
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This is my kind of salad! Lovely and for a great cause!
this is such a classic salad, it’s adoreable. pure treasure!
What a beautiful salad and even more beautiful cause… you are wonderful!
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This looks fantastic! Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t love creamy dressings. I know…who doesn’t love creamy dressing?!!
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This salad looks delish!! Thanks for sharing the recipe Shaina!
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Looks as beautiful as it looks delicious! So happy to be participating in such a great event with you!
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I should not have checked this out before dinner…now my food will not look as good! This salad looks divine and what a great cause!
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I love the look of this salad. And, it has some of my favorite salad fixin’s in it. Love it. (The photo is spectacular.)
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Stumbled! Love this, Shaina, and the best part? I’ve already got all the ingredients!
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This is one of my fav salads. I love the all the flavors and the colors that pop off the plate.
Not a lot makes me happier than nuts, cheese and dried fruit in a salad. Thanks for participating in our Share the Holiday Table progressive party! xoxoxox
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Such a pretty salad. I love poppy seeds and forget what a great addition they are to dressings. I’ll be giving this one a try. Lovely post.
Looks amazing…..great photos and mouth-watering recipe!
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I could just dive into this crispy & fresh beautiful salad. The dressing sounds delicious! I am happy that we are both participating in SOS together
xo
this salad looks delish. it has been so much fun sharing such a great meal with so many wonderful “foodies”. Happy Holidays!
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This looks fantastic. I’m going to try it this week. Do you think sour cream could be subbed for the Greek yogurt?
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Shaina, this salad is awesome and the dressing is to die for. Thanks for sharing the recipe…it’s a terrific one for my “arsenal” of go-to salads. Plus, I’ll be keeping a tub of that dressing in my fridge at all times!!
hello friend greetings. what is a salad vegetable in cooking or at ririskiky served fresh and raw?
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Just found another use for that luscious dressing. I make a chicken salad with chopped chicken, grapes, pecans and shredded mozz (just a little) enveloped in poppyseed dressing. I always used to buy a favorite brand of poppyseed dressing….now I’m making yours and it makes the salad even better!! Thanks.
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