What mixed winter salad to prepare? 3 gourmet, easy and satisfying recipes!

We (almost) all need to lose a few pounds after the holidays, right? However, starving is not an option, as one will soon revert to unhealthy eating habits. It is better to adopt a less restrictive diet that advocates the consumption of seasonal, fresh and vitaminized products. Bonus points if the dishes obtained are delicious. All kidding aside, a winter salad is all you need to start the year off right. And since variety is the real spice of life, we offer you 3 winter salad recipes not to be missed this season!

The winter salad composed in 3 gastronomic variants

Before presenting our 3 favorite recipes, it is worth clarifying what a winter salad is. Obviously, the first condition is that the dish contains (mostly) vegetable plants. The second ? Of course, we favor products that are typical for the current season! So, cabbages and turnips, parsnips and carrots, spinach, squash and beets: on the table! Not to mention some fruit…

Winter salad of radishes and pears with blue cheese

The first recipe for today combines winter vegetables and fruits that are quite magnificent. It is a mixed salad that is quite filling thanks to the protein in its composition and which is in fact elementary to prepare and quick. Here is the list of ingredients needed to prepare 4 servings of this gourmet winter salad:

2-3 ripe but firm pears (preferably Bosc or Doyenné du Comice varieties)
1 bunch of radishes (optional, you can include turnips or other types of radishes like daikon, purple malaga, yellow zlata, etc.)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
fleur de sel or sea salt
125 grams of French blue cheese of your choice (or Gorgonzola dolce for an Italian menu, for example)
1 sheet of toasted nori

Thinly slice the pears, avoiding the central part containing the seeds. A mandoline is excellent for this operation, but a very sharp knife will do just fine too. Then, slice the radishes and mix the two together in a large bowl. Prepare a simple dressing from extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and kosher salt. Season the slices of vegetables and fruits with it, mixing them well to coat them evenly. To serve, arrange some seasoned salad on each plate and lightly sprinkle with a few crystals of sea salt. Crumble the blue cheese over the top and season with pepper. Crush the nori and sprinkle it over each salad. You can grill it in a dry pan for a few moments if it is too soft, which will also bring out its flavor.

Watercress, carrots and halloumi to serve as a starter

The following winter salad is just as delicious and easy to prepare. Plus, just like the previous recipe, it’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and only takes 15 minutes to prepare! By the way, you can serve it as a starter thanks to the halloumi cheese it contains. This winter salad is made with watercress, but you can easily replace it with lamb’s lettuce, baby spinach, etc. Here are the products to buy for 4 people:

100g watercress, baby spinach or lamb’s lettuce
2 large oranges
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
1½ tsp honey
1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons canola or olive oil
pepper and salt
2 large carrots, peeled
225 g halloumi, sliced

First, take the supremes from the oranges by consulting the super useful video above. Try to catch the juice that drips out as you slice the orange in a bowl and add the squeezed juice from the parts you cut. Prepare a vinaigrette by adding mustard, honey, vinegar, oil and a little pepper and salt.

Using a vegetable peeler, slice the carrots into thin ribbons and place them in the bowl of vinaigrette, tossing gently. Let them rest in the bowl. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a pan and cook the halloumi for a few minutes until golden on both sides. Add the watercress to the carrots and stir gently. Divide the mixture among the plates and garnish with the pan-fried halloumi and the orange supremes.

Mixed cabbage salad with goat cheese and walnuts

Whether it’s for a special occasion or just to diversify your menu and make it healthier, here’s a recipe that will serve you well. The ingredients for the last winter salad for the moment, always for 4 people are:

180-200 grams kale/kale, cut into strips
1/2 small lemon, squeezed
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
180-200 grams Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale or carrots (or other similar winter vegetables, grated)
2 medium apples, cored and diced
1 cup walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds or pecans (depending on personal preference and availability), toasted
125 grams crumbled goat cheese
1 cup pomegranate arils

Optional: 1 1/2 cups cubed roasted butternut squash

For the dressing:

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
4 tsp whole grain mustard
4 tsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp sea salt
ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put the cut kale in a very large salad bowl and add the lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Use your hands to gently massage the liquid into the greens which should wilt slightly and turn a deep green color. Add the other grated vegetables to the bowl along with the apple and chopped walnuts. Next, prepare the sauce by combining all the dressing ingredients in a screw-top glass jar. Shake it vigorously for 30 seconds, pour it over the salad and stir well. Finally, add the crumbled goat cheese, butternut squash and pomegranate arils on top and serve. Here is ! Also check out our sheet on the comforting winter soups that are the crème de la crème of the current season!