“Start a festive dinner with this palate-awakening salad. It features a mix of light and refreshing tastes–tender greens, pears, orange juice, pomegranate seeds–that will stimulate your taste buds but won’t fill you up, a good thing when there is more delicious food to come.” — Eric Akis

Mixed Salad Greens with Pear and Pomegranate
Eric Akis, Everyone Can Cook for Celebrations: Seasonal Recipes for Festive Occasions

3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons orange juice
¼ cup walnut halves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons honey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
10-12 cups mixed baby salad greens
1 ripe medium pear, halved, cored, and thinly sliced
Red onion slices, if desired
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds

Place the oil, vinegar, orange juice, walnuts, honey, salt and pepper in a salad bowl. Mix well to combine. Add the salad greens and toss to coat. Mix well to combine. Divide the greens among 6 salad plates. Garnish the top of each salad with the pear slices, red onion, and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

Serves 6.

MF&L Staff at Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.