Which 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 yourself is not an option, as you will soon revert to unhealthy eating habits. It is better to adopt a less restrictive diet which includes the consumption of seasonal, fresh and vitamin-rich products. Bonus points if the dishes obtained are delicious. Seriously, 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 that you can’t miss this season!

The winter salad composed in 3 gastronomic variations

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

Winter salad of radishes and pears with gorgonzola

Today’s first recipe combines quite magnificent winter vegetables and fruits. It is a mixed salad that is quite filling thanks to the proteins present in its composition and which is in fact simple to prepare and quick. Here is the list of ingredients needed to make 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 radish like daikon, purple malaga, yellow zlata, etc.)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
fleur de sel or sea salt
125 grams of French blue cheese of your choice (or sweet Gorgonzola for an Italian menu, for example)
1 sheet of toasted nori

Thinly slice the pears, avoiding the central part containing the seeds. A mandolin is great for this, but a very sharp knife will do just fine. Then slice the radishes and mix the two together in a large bowl. Prepare a simple dressing with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and kosher salt. Drizzle the fruit and vegetable slices with it, mixing them well to coat them evenly. To serve, arrange a little dressed salad on each plate, sprinkle lightly with a few crystals of sea salt, crumble the gorgonzola on top and season with pepper. Crush the nori and sprinkle it on each salad. You can grill it in a dry pan for a few moments if it’s too soft, which will also bring out the flavor.

Watercress, carrots and halloumi to serve as an appetizer

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

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

First, take the supremes from oranges by consulting the very useful video above. Try to catch the juice that drips as you cut the orange into a bowl and add the juice squeezed 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 the 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 brown on both sides. Add the watercress to the carrots and mix gently. Distribute the mixture between plates and garnish with the stir-fried halloumi and 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 cabbage/cabbage, cut into strips
1/2 small lemon, squeezed
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
180-200 grams of Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage or carrots (or other similar winter greens, grated)
2 medium apples, cored and diced
1 cup walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, or pecans (depending on personal preference and availability), toasted
125 grams of crumbled goat cheese
1 cup of pomegranate seeds

Optional: 1 1/2 cups diced roasted pumpkin

For the seasoning:

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
4 teaspoons of whole grain mustard
4 teaspoons of maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put the chopped cabbage in a large salad bowl and add the lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Use your hands to gently massage the liquid into the vegetables. They 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, make the sauce by combining all the dressing ingredients in a screw-top mason jar. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, pour it over the salad and mix well. Finally, add the crumbled goat cheese, pumpkin and pomegranate seeds and serve. Here you are ! Also check out our factsheet on comforting winter soups that are the crème de la crème of the current season!