Spinach, Pomegranate and Almond Salad

Have you noticed that pomegranates are starting to show up in the markets. Get them in your life this season.

This Spinach, Pomegranate and Almond Salad is perfect for fall. If you would like to enrich and make it more filling and colorful, add pears or apples. Delicious poppy seed apple cider dressing makes the salad fabulous.

Although we are forever trying and creating new recipes (sometimes great successes, sometimes not so much), we love having one or two “standbys” that we can serve with great confidence. This Spinach, Pomegranate and Almond Salad is one of those never-fail winners!

It’s perfect to add a bit of pizza to family dinners, amazing for work or school lunches and will be a real show stopper at your next dinner party. This Spinach, Pomegranate and Almond Salad is great served as a main course, with roasted chicken. And it would pair quite nicely with shrimp, grilled steaks or roasted pork.

What makes this salad shine?

There are actually three delicious components:

Avocado: adds color, taste and texture. Scatter a few slices on top of a salad and you’ve just transformed simple greens into a work of art!

Sweet and Spicy Almonds: These are very delicious. Oven roasted with real maple syrup, fall spices and a touch of chili powder, they add crunch and sweet-salty-spiciness – another layer of fabulous flavor and texture.

Poppy Seed Cider Dressing: Apple cider is simmered till it’s reduced to a thick, sticky syrup that’s, literally, bursting with vibrant apple flavor. The syrup is then combined with a splash of apple cider vinegar, a touch of Dijon mustard, garlic, olive oil and a spoonful of poppy seeds. Everything goes in a jar and then – shake for a flavorful fall dressing that’s the perfect complement to this yummy salad.

These star ingredients can all be made ahead, so it’s easy to throw this salad together at the spur of the moment.

Double the dressing recipe and keep jars of the wonderful almonds in the freezer.