Home ยป Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad with Creamy Pomegranate Dressing + Weekly Menu

Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad with Creamy Pomegranate Dressing + Weekly Menu

Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad 1

In recent years, the USDA replaced the very well-known “food guide pyramid” with the almost-insulting, super simple “plate method”. In brief, half of your (9 inch) plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables, 1/4 of the plate should be filled with lean protein, and the remaining 1/4 of the plate with a starch/carbohydrate.

At first, I think a lot of dietitians were in shock over the major change. But then, it became well-accepted and easily adopted. For so long, my message to patients has simply been “eat more fruits and vegetables”.

Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad 2

 However, that’s generally easier said than done. For a lot of reasons.

During holiday time, it’s the perfect opportunity to adopt the “plate method” of eating. Yet, when stuffing and buttery mashed potatoes are passed around the table, willpower weakens and we cave.

“It’s only once a year…” we justify.

Guys, I’m right there with you. Of all the dishes on the holiday table, let’s ditch the something green. Green bean casserole? Bleck. Brussels sprouts? I’ll eat those on Monday. SALAD? Puh-lease. I’m reserving stomach capacity for my FAVORITES. Potatoespotatoespotates!

Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad 3

 But then, there’s those salads that are balanced with just enough goodies and good-for-you goodness that you’re happy to fill half (or at least a quarter!) of your plate with the vitamin rich, lower-calorie fruits and vegetable options. On my husband’s side, they always serve up this salad with apple and cashews – it’s HEAVENLY. It reminds me of this salad.

This salad, it embraces winter and the holidays…and health. It’s packed with color, nutrients, and over 18 grams of fiber! It utilizes unique flavors and textures such as tart and seedy pomegranate arils with the tangy smoothness of goat cheese and the creamy, slightly tart dressing. It’s perfect. It leaves you wanting more.

It fills your ENTIRE plate, but that’s okay, too. In fact, you’ll probably be wanting seconds!

Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad 4

Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad with Creamy Pomegranate Dressing
Author: 
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 5 large entree portions
 
Ingredients
Salad:
  • 3 small heads romaine lettuce
  • 2 apples, cored and chopped
  • 2 pears, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • ¼ red onion, diced
  • ⅔ cup roasted and salted pepitas
  • ⅔ cup roasted and salted pistachios
  • 1 pomegranate, arils removed
  • 5 oz goat cheese, crumbled
Dressing:
  • 1 (5.3 oz) Pomegranate Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp Sweet Red Chili Sauce (found in Asian section)
  • 5 Tbsp pomegranate juice
  • 2 Tbsp light mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients until well incorporated; set aside.
  2. Wash and chop romaine; transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss well, using tongs, to distribute throughout. Add apple, pear, bell pepper, and onion; toss well. Distribute salad into 5 even portions and top each with 2 tablespoons of pepitas and pistachios, pomegranate arils, and 1 ounce of goat cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Carlsbad Cravings
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 large entree portion Calories: 484 Fat: 22.0 Carbohydrates: 53.6 Sugar: 28.2 Sodium: 250 Fiber: 18.4 Protein: 23.2 Cholesterol: 10

Weekly Menu: December 14th – 18th

Be well,

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11 Comments

  1. Andrea@WellnessNotes
    December 14, 2014 / 12:09 am

    I love “interesting” salads that are still healthy! This sounds great!

  2. Pingback: Pomegranate, Pear, and Pistachio Salad with Creamy Pomegranate Dressing + Weekly Menu
  3. Dianne
    December 14, 2014 / 8:32 am

    This salad would be beautiful on the Christmas table!! I think it will be on our menu. ๐Ÿ™‚ Happy Holidays

  4. Nancy
    December 14, 2014 / 8:36 am

    The salad looks good! However, a correction is needed – it is not the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that published the Food Guide Pyramid or the My Plate guide – that is all from the US government – specifically the USDA.

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      December 14, 2014 / 9:29 pm

      Thanks for the correction, Nancy! Edited ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
    December 14, 2014 / 10:31 am

    This is one of my absolute favorite salad combos!

  6. Lizzie
    December 15, 2014 / 10:19 am

    This looks so great!! And I can’t wait to see your take on the spicy taco skillet.

    P.S. Your Christmas card is on our mantel ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
    December 15, 2014 / 12:31 pm

    You always have the BEST salad ideas ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen
    December 16, 2014 / 8:36 am

    OMG this looks amazing! Love these flavors!

  9. heather @french press
    December 16, 2014 / 10:53 am

    I would happily fill my plate with this salad, but that stuffing is SO hard to pass up

  10. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
    December 16, 2014 / 10:18 pm

    Top any salad with pistachios and pomegranate and I will devour it! LOVE this salad!

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