In just 25 minutes, I can have this vibrant Giada Raffy’s Holiday Salad ready, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. The ingredients are so wholesome and comforting, with flavors like the crisp apple and the savory taste of the Gruyère cheese taking center stage.

The texture is perfectly crunchy, and the sweet flavor just makes it so satisfying. It’s great for the holidays and super easy to pull together on busy days.

Recipe Ingredients

• 3 lemons
• 4 Belgian endives, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch slices
• 1 medium green apple, cored and cut into small cubes
• ⅔ cup corn kernels, cut from ½ ear of corn and simmered for 3 minutes or defrosted frozen corn
• 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ½ avocado, pitted and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 small pomegranate (optional)
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Giada Raffy’s Holiday Salad

Prepare the Salad

1. Toss and Coat the Endives: Add juice from 1 lemon to the Belgian endives and toss to prevent browning. Mix with the corn, apple, and Gruyère cheese for a delicious base.
2. Add Avocado and Pomegranate: Squeeze juice from half a lemon over the avocado, toss gently, and mix with the salad. If using pomegranate, beat the skin to release the seeds onto the salad and sprinkle on top.

Make the Dressing

1. Whisk Together the Dressing: Combine juice from 2 lemons, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Whisk until smooth, and just before serving, pour over the salad and toss.

Recipe Tips

• Salad Enhancement: For added flavor and crunch, toss in some toasted pine nuts or pistachios to complement the sweet and tangy flavors of Giada Raffy’s Holiday Salad, providing a delightful textural contrast to the dish.
• Dressing Ahead: Prepare the dressing up to two days in advance, storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld together, and making it easier to assemble the salad just before serving.
• Winter Fruit Variations: Experiment with seasonal winter fruits like persimmons, pomegranate seeds, or dried cranberries to add natural sweetness and vibrant colors to the salad, making it a beautiful and refreshing holiday side dish.
• Make It Ahead for Holiday Gatherings: Prepare the salad components a day before and assemble just before the holiday gathering, allowing you to relax and enjoy the celebration with your guests, while still serving a freshly made and delicious salad.
• Kids’ and Picky Eaters’ Alternative: For a kid-friendly version, substitute the arugula with mixed greens and omit the goat cheese, adding dried cranberries or cherries for sweetness, making it a fun and healthier holiday side dish option for the whole family.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Giada Recipes:

• Giada Honey-Brined Roasted Chicken
• Giada Candied Lemon And Arugula Salad
• Giada Cherry-Pistachio Biscotti Recipe