Holiday Greens Wreath

An Effortless Masterpiece: Your Go-To Holiday Salad

Imagine a dish that effortlessly combines elegance with incredible flavor, all while being surprisingly simple to prepare. That’s precisely what our Christmas Salad Wreath offers. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a creative expression of holiday cheer, designed to be both visually stunning and incredibly delicious. Serving salad in a festive wreath shape instantly transforms a simple starter into a festive event. It’s a fantastic way to introduce fresh, healthy elements into what can often be a rich holiday spread, ensuring your guests feel both indulged and nourished. Its unique presentation will undoubtedly spark conversations and compliments, making it a guaranteed holiday hit.

The heart of this festive creation lies in its Italian-inspired foundation. We blend crisp mixed greens with a medley of colorful, flavorful components: juicy cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion for a subtle bite, vibrant red bell pepper, briny green olives, tangy sliced pepperoncini, and delicate fresh mozzarella pearls. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to a symphony of textures and tastes. Tying all these wonderful flavors together is a luscious, homemade creamy Italian dressing, adding a silky richness that makes every bite utterly irresistible.

Crafting Your Festive Christmas Salad Wreath: Essential Ingredients

To create this spectacular Christmas Salad Wreath, you’ll need a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the vibrant freshness of its components. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to assemble both the salad base and the delectable creamy Italian dressing.

For the Salad Wreath:

• Mixed Greens (16 oz): A vibrant base of fresh, crisp mixed greens forms the lush “foliage” of your wreath. Choose a mix with various textures and colors for added appeal.
• Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup): Halved or left whole, these provide bursts of sweetness and a beautiful festive red hue.
• Medium Red Onion (½, sliced): Thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, piquant flavor and a lovely purple contrast.
• Green Olives (½ cup): Briny green olives introduce a delightful salty note and a classic Mediterranean touch.
• Sliced Pepperoncini (¼ cup): These mild chili peppers offer a tangy, slightly spicy kick that brightens the salad’s profile.
• Fresh Mozzarella Pearls (½ cup): Soft, creamy mozzarella pearls add a wonderful richness and a delicate texture, reminiscent of winter snow.
• Red Bell Pepper (1, divided): Beyond adding crunch and sweetness to the salad, a portion is reserved for crafting the charming decorative bow.
• Croutons (1 cup): Crispy croutons provide a satisfying crunch and complete the classic salad experience.

For the Creamy Italian Dressing:

This homemade dressing is what truly brings all the flavors of the Christmas Salad Wreath together, offering a creamy, zesty finish.

• Light Mayonnaise (1 cup): Forms the creamy base of the dressing, providing a rich and smooth texture.
• White Onion (¼): A small amount of white onion adds a milder, sweeter onion flavor compared to red, perfect for a dressing.
• Garlic (2 cloves): Fresh garlic is essential for that signature robust Italian dressing flavor.
• White Wine Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Provides the necessary tang and acidity to balance the richness of the mayonnaise.
• Granulated Sugar (2 teaspoons): A touch of sugar helps to balance the acidity and enhance the overall flavor profile of the dressing.
• Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): A blend of classic Italian herbs that infuses the dressing with aromatic depth.
• Kosher Salt (¼ teaspoon): To season the dressing and bring out all the individual flavors.

Effortless Assembly: How to Create Your Stunning Christmas Salad Wreath

Assembling this festive salad is as enjoyable as it is simple. The key is in arranging the ingredients thoughtfully to create that iconic wreath shape. Follow these steps for a beautiful and delicious result that will captivate your guests.

• Choose Your Platter: Select a large, round rimmed lazy Susan or a spacious platter, ideally around 18 inches in diameter. The rim helps contain the greens and other ingredients, maintaining the wreath’s shape. Place a small, decorative bowl in the very center of the platter – this will hold your homemade creamy Italian dressing and define the wreath’s inner circle.
• Build the Green Base: Carefully spread the mixed greens around the central dressing bowl, forming a lush, verdant circle. Ensure the greens are evenly distributed and create a full, substantial base, resembling the foliage of a traditional holiday wreath.
• Arrange the Festive Toppings: Artfully scatter the remaining salad ingredients – cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, green olives, sliced pepperoncini, fresh mozzarella pearls, and chopped red bell pepper – on top of the mixed greens. Distribute them evenly, aiming for a balanced display of colors and textures. The red tomatoes and bell pepper will provide festive pops of color against the green.
• Add the Croutons: Just before serving, sprinkle the croutons over the salad wreath. This ensures they remain crisp and adds another layer of texture.
• Prepare the Dressing: While the salad is being assembled, prepare your creamy Italian dressing. In a blender or food processor, combine the light mayonnaise, white onion, garlic cloves, white wine vinegar, and granulated sugar. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Taste and season with Italian seasoning and kosher salt, adjusting to your preference. Pour this delicious dressing into the central bowl, ready for serving.

The beauty of this presentation lies in its simplicity. Each component contributes to the overall festive aesthetic, turning a simple salad into a holiday centerpiece.

The Signature Touch: Crafting an Edible Red Bell Pepper Bow

No Christmas wreath is truly complete without a beautiful bow, and your salad wreath is no exception! This charming edible adornment, fashioned from a red bell pepper, adds that extra touch of festive magic and visual delight. It’s a simple step that transforms your already lovely salad into a truly captivating holiday centerpiece.

• Prepare the Red Bell Pepper: Take the red bell pepper designated for the bow. Carefully slice off the top and bottom portions, leaving you with the main cylindrical body of the pepper.
• Form the Bow Loops: Gently separate the bell pepper into three distinct “portions” or curved strips. These will form the main loops of your bow. Arrange them on the platter, nestled at the base of your salad wreath, to mimic the classic bow shape.
• Create the Bow Tails: Next, slice two long, slender strips from the remaining bell pepper pieces. These will serve as the elegant “tails” of your bow. Position them gracefully extending from the bow loops, completing the festive look.

The remainder of the red bell pepper not used for the bow can be chopped and mixed into the salad greens, ensuring nothing goes to waste and adding more vibrant color throughout the wreath. This small detail truly elevates the presentation, making your Christmas Salad Wreath an unforgettable addition to your holiday spread.

Beyond the Wreath: Perfect Pairings for Your Festive Salad

With your stunning Christmas Salad Wreath complete, you’ve already created an impressive focal point for your holiday table. This versatile salad pairs beautifully with a wide array of festive dishes, making it the ideal accompaniment to any holiday meal.

Consider serving it alongside a succulent roasted turkey, a tender glazed ham, or a classic beef roast. Its fresh, vibrant flavors offer a delightful contrast to richer main courses, providing a refreshing balance to your palate. For an even more spectacular and themed holiday spread, imagine this gorgeous wreath paired with other creatively presented dishes. For instance, my Christmas Tree Dinner Rolls, shaped like miniature trees, and the delightful Caprese Candy Cane Board, both from my acclaimed Beautiful Boardscookbook, would create a cohesive and utterly charming tablescape.

These festive dishes are not just food; they are edible decorations that enhance the entire dining experience. With such beautiful and delicious creations, you won’t need to stress over elaborate centerpieces or complex table settings. The food itself becomes the art, making your holiday celebration truly unforgettable. Whether it’s for Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch, or any festive gathering in between, this salad wreath will surely be a highlight.

As Seen In!

I was absolutely thrilled to share this very Christmas Salad Wreath recipe in the Winter Edition of IBB Home Magazine! It was featured alongside a truly amazing Tuscan Tortellini Soup recipe and a delightfully festive Cranberry Cheer cocktail recipe, making it part of a complete holiday entertaining guide. Be sure to check out pages 80-81 in the magazine to see the full spread and discover even more inspiring ideas for your holiday celebrations. It’s a wonderful feeling to see these festive recipes inspire others!

Discover More Easy, Festive & Delicious Holiday Recipes

The holiday season is brimming with opportunities to create joyful culinary experiences. If you loved the simplicity and festive charm of this Christmas Salad Wreath, you’re in for a treat! I’ve curated a special collection of holiday recipes that embody the same spirit: they’re incredibly easy to make, beautifully festive to serve, and absolutely guaranteed to be enjoyed by everyone at your table. From enchanting appetizers to delightful desserts, these Easy, Festive and Delicious Holiday Recipes are designed to make your entertaining stress-free and full of cheer. Explore the collection and find new favorites to add to your holiday tradition!