Cranberry Feta Cheese Tree (Printable)

A vibrant salad with feta, cranberries, nuts, and fresh herbs shaped like a festive holiday tree.

# Components:

→ Base Salad

01 - 2 cups baby spinach, finely chopped
02 - 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
03 - 1 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
04 - 1 small English cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced

→ Toppings

06 - 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
07 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
08 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish & Serving

15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration
16 - Assorted crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks for dipping

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the finely chopped spinach, parsley, dill, diced cucumber, and sliced scallions.
02 - Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the mixed greens and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Transfer the dressed salad to a large serving platter and form into a triangle to resemble a holiday tree.
05 - Evenly sprinkle crumbled feta over the salad to represent snow, then decorate with dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and optional pomegranate seeds.
06 - Arrange fresh rosemary sprigs at the base to mimic a tree trunk and enhance presentation.
07 - Serve immediately with assorted crackers, pita chips, or vegetable sticks for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tangy feta and sweet cranberries create a perfect flavor balance
  • Crunchy nuts and fresh herbs add delightful texture
02 -
  • Substitute goat cheese for feta if desired
  • Use vegan feta and maple syrup for a vegan version
03 -
  • Finely chop the greens for easy shaping of the tree
  • Gently toss the salad to keep the ingredients fresh
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