Hearty Holiday Chopped Salad

It can be tough to find a salad that is worthy of serving in these cold months let alone to stand its own at a holiday dinner party but this one can do all of that! It is also versatile so you can switch it up based on you and your loved ones dietary needs and preferences.

The recipe below uses roasted brussel sprouts and butternut squash to give it that warm and cozy feel while some radicchio adds a balance of fresh crunch and a slight bitter bite. Adding cheese is totally optional but something I like to indulge in during the holidays. This salad can quickly become a complete meal by adding some canned tuna, rotisserie chicken, or even some cured chopped meat.

The salad dressing couldn’t be any simpler and is 100% worth making it yourself versus anything you can buy in a bottle. Homemade salad dressing is super quick, ensures you get the best ingredients and has a fresh zip to take your dish to the next level. Most bottled salad dressings have cheap oils which isn’t something I want to be consuming every day for optimal health. Nothing beats a top grade cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. My current favorite is Bellucci Premium and it comes in a dark bottle to ensure optimal freshness. I always look for a dark glass bottle as it protects the oil from light and let’s me know the company cares about the quality and freshness of their product.

Hearty Holiday Chopped Salad

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 small head of radicchio roughly chopped

• 2 cups of roasted butternut squash

• 2 cups of roasted brussel sprouts

• 1/2 can of chickpeas, rinsed

• 1/2 cup of olives

• 1 cup of pecans

• Red Wine Vinaigrette (recipe below)

• Optional: Gorgonzola or goat cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a serving bowl and use a fork to crumble cheese over the top.

2. Serve dressing on the side or drizzle on top just before serving.

Red Wine Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 c EVOO

• 1/2 c red wine vinegar

• 1 T Dijon mustard

• Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a mason jar and shake vigorously.

Let me know if you make this tasty salad by tagging me @vivacitybuzz on the gram! Happy Holidays!!