Festive Pear and Pomegranate Salad

by Ilona Erwin | Recipes

– Refreshing, Colorful, and Easy

This is an excellent fruit salad for holidays. It is beautiful in presentation with all the right components for flavor and crunch. For me, it is essential to include it in the Christmas dinner menu. Works just as well at Thanksgiving or Easter.

Festive Pear and Pomegranate Salad

This is one of my all time favorites. It is fancy looking with its creamy white pears, ruby red pomegranate seeds, and deep pink syrup sauce, yet quite simple.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 pears thinly sliced – two red pears and one Asian
• 1 pomegranate seeded
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds optional
• 4 sprigs fresh mint leaves for garnish optional
• dark green lettuce leaves

Method

 

1. Place the sliced pears and pomegranate seeds into a bowl.
2. Toss with lemon juice to coat.
3. Combine the brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a small cup or bowl, then mix into the fruit.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to blend the flavors.
5. Serve in individual dishes on a bed of lettuce greens, and garnish with a sprinkling of sliced almonds with a sprig of mint

Notes

I like to serve this fruit salad by arranging the pear slices on a serving platter, then pouring the spiced sauce over them, and sprinkling the pomegranate seeds over the surface. The almond slices and mint garnish are then added over the top. 

When I do this I don't use the lettuce leaf base, but those could be arranged on the platter before placing the pear slices, if desired. 

To find recipes for the Christmas dinner I like to prepare this salad for, please check out the Beef Tenderloin Holiday Menu