New Years Resolution Salad

This salad with cranberries, orange, goat cheese & candied pecans will ease you into healthy eating in the new year.

Yes, it is a salad and yet it will satisfy your after Christmas craving for something sweet. It is so delicious!

Ingredients:

  • Lettuce - I used spring mix
  • 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
  • 2 c. fresh cranberries add 2 Tbsp white sugar and 2 Tbsp water (see instructions)
  • 2 sliced green onions
  • 1 c. pecans add 2 Tbsp brown sugar and 1/2 Tbsp butter to candy (see instructions)
  • 1/2 c. goat cheese – I used cranberry cinnamon goat cheese here, but plain is fine.
  • Dressing:
  • 1/4 c. olive oil
  • 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp liquid honey
  • juice from 1/2 orange
  • zest of 1/2 orange

Instructions:

  1. Microwave the fresh cranberries along with 2 Tbsp water and 2 Tbsp sugar for about 2 minutes or until the cranberries begin to pop. Set aside to cool.
  2. Candy the pecans by heating a pan, add brown sugar and the butter (quantity may need to be adjusted), add the pecans and coat, let cool.
  3. In a nice salad bowl, add the lettuce greens, oranges, onions, pecans and goat cheese crumbles and the cooled cranberries.
  4. In a small bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients.
  5. Pour over the salad, toss, serve and enjoy!

Helpful Hint:

Anytime in the new year when you feel like cheating on your healthy eating resolution, just whip up one of these salads and get back on track.

That is my plan.

~ Tracy

This Foodie Friday brought to you by Heartland Cafe a great place for delicious food right here in Olde Towne Okotoks.