Holiday Wreath Salad

What a beautifully easy and festive salad for your holiday table or next party!  Comes together in less than 15 minutes but looks like it took so much more time.  I served recently for a cocktail party and it was a hit!

Serves 4 (entree size) or 8 (side salad size)

Ingredients: 

8 cups arugula and kale

1 cup fresh basil leaves

1 apple, cored and sliced

1 cup grapes

1 1/2 cups blackberries or raspberries 

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds 

1 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese 

1 cup glazed pecans, roughly chopped 

Dressing:

1 cup olive oil 

1/4 cup verju or red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 shallot, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced 

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients.  Whisk well and set aside.

In a medium bowl, add salad greens and basil leaves.  Pour half of salad dressing over greens and gently toss.  Using a circular platter or bowl, arrange greens into a circle around the outer edge, leaving an opening in the center.  (Note, I like to place a small bowl upside down in the center to work around it and make a uniform shape).

Arrange berries, apple slices, grapes and nuts into sections around the salad greens.  I like to group in sections for visual appeal.  Sprinkle pomegranate seeds, crumbled cheese and additional nuts over top.  

Place remaining salad dressing in a small bowl in center of presentation to allow extra dressing to be drizzled with serving.