After a week of rich Christmas foods, it’s safe to say we’re all probably craving a crunchy salad, right? Well even if you’re not craving it, your body likely needs one and who are we to deprive you of the good stuff? This winter salad and vinaigrette recipe, courtesy of Vitamix, is not only delicious and nutritious but SO easy and quick to make. The dressing comes together in your blender — how simple is that? Plus, you’ll even make a seasoning mix that can be used in so many different dishes so you can feel the warmth of the holiday season anytime!
First, make the Winter Spice Seasoning Mix. It’s the perfect mix of spices because it’s neither too sweet nor savoury but it’ll give anything you add it to, a warm and cozy holiday flavour.
See here for the recipe!
Winter Spice Seasoning Mix
Yield: 1¼ cup (300 g)
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 Tablespoons crystalized ginger
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 3 Tablespoons salt
- 1 Tablespoon pink peppercorns
- 1½ teaspoon whole cloves
- ½ cup (50 g) dried orange peel
- ½ cup (120 g) brown sugar, packed
Directions:
- Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Start the machine, slowly increase to its highest speed.
- Blend for 30 seconds or until desired consistency is reached, using the tamper to push ingredients into the blades, if needed.
Notes:
Mixed peppercorns can be substituted if unable to find pink peppercorns.
Now that you’ve made your seasoning mix, you can get started on the main event which is the Roasted Beet & Green Bean Salad. The seasoning mix goes in the dressing and that also gets made right in the blender. All that’s left to do is assemble the salad and that’s it!
Here’s how to make the actual salad!
See here for the recipe!
Roasted Beet & Green Bean Salad
Yield: 10-12 servings
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1½ pound (675 g) roasted beets, diced
- 1 pound (450 g) green beans, blanched
- 5 ounces (360 g) arugula
- 1 apple, shaved
- 1 log, 8-ounces (225g) goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup (100 g) pepitas
- 1½ cup (360 ml) Winter Spice Vinaigrette
Directions:
- Place beets, green beans, and arugula in a large, stainless steel bowl and toss with 1 cup Winter Spice Vinaigrette. Transfer to serving bowl.
- Distribute the apple, goat cheese, and pepitas neatly on top of the arugula and green beans and finish with additional dressing, as desired.
Winter Spice Vinaigrette:
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (180 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 8-10 garlic cloves, roasted
- 3 Tablespoons shallot, roasted
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey, (optional)
- 3 teaspoons Winter Spice Seasoning
- 1-2 sprigs rosemary
- 2 cups (480 ml) olive oil
Method:
- Place all ingredients except olive oil into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
- Select Variable 1.
- Start the machine, slowly increase to highest speed and blend for 30 seconds.
- Reduce to Variable 6, remove lid plug and add oil through lid plug opening.
- Replace lid plug and blend an additional 10 seconds.
Recipes and photos: Vitamix
