Recipe: Pomegranate pear pecan salad

Poe Center for Health Education is sharing some holiday recipes that make for healthy substitutes for popular holiday dishes. This recipe for an easy tossed salad makes for a lighter dish than green bean casserole, for example.

Here's what Poe's experts say about it: Incorporating vegetables into your holiday dinner is essential for a well-balanced meal. While dishes such as green bean casserole sound healthy, casseroles are often loaded with salt and saturated fats, which can contribute to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This year, add festive colors and vitamins with a nutritious pomegranate pear and pecan salad. The base of leafy greens provides a good source of calcium and iron, the pecans provide a protein crunch, and the pomegranates and pears give a sweet burst of antioxidants.

Pomegranate Pear Pecan Salad

8 ounces of dark leafy greens (such as spinach)
¼ cup pomegranate seeds
2 cored & diced pears
½ cup pecans

Dressing:

½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• Mix the leafy greens, pomegranate, pears and pecans in a big bowl.
• Whisk the ingredients for the dressing in a separate, smaller bowl.
• Add dressing to the salad, toss and serve.

For more healthy holiday recipes, check Poe's website. Go Ask Mom features recipes every Friday.