this idea
This cranberry almond salad is full of mixed greens paired with crunchy almonds, sweet dried cranberries, and feta cheese. It’s topped with a creamy, healthier poppy seed dressing.
Anyone have eating healthier as a New Year’s resolution this year? I do! I actually started a new eating plan at the beginning of December. Talk about a hard time to make that change with Christmas goodies appearing (and needing to be made!) every other day! But it was time and I was ready and feeling motivated.
I hope to share more aboutthat change in a few more weeks. Once I feel like I’m a little bit further along in that journey. But this cranberry almond salad has been a constant on my table over the last month or so. And since I’m pretty much obsessed with it, I thought I’d share it with you!
Find more delicious salad recipes here.
![Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (2) Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (2)](https://i0.wp.com/themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/CranberryAlmondSalad5(pp_w768_h1005).jpg)
The Back Story:
I actually have my cousin Rachel’s husband’s nut allergy to thank for this, as odd as that is! Rachel & Doug had a beautiful baby girl last fall and I took them a meal shortly after sweet little Willa was born. I was including a salad with my meal and ended up buying a few ready to serve mixes (the ones with toppings & dressing) because Doug has a peanut allergy, but I wasn’t sure if he could have almonds or not, I grabbed a few varieties to have options available. He does avoid almonds, so I ended up keeping a bag that had almonds included in it for myself. (Also, can I say how nerve-wracking it is to make food for someone with an allergy…I was so paranoid a nut ingredient would be in something I didn’t know!!)
That pre-made mix ended up being the inspiration behind this salad. I knew it would be much cheaper for me to buy my own ingredients and make my own salads from scratch, rather than keep buying the mixes, so that’s what I did. I do always buy lettuce mixes though, I hate washing and chopping lettuce, so I buy organic triple-washed, ready to use lettuce.
Lettuce Tip:
Little fact I’ve discovered: the organic lettuce mixes seem to last a lot longer than the non-organic, not sure why that it is, but it holds true for me, so it’s definitely worth it for me to spend more on organic lettuce.
![Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (3) Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (3)](https://i0.wp.com/themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/CranberryAlmondSalad4(pp_w768_h1005).jpg)
I didn’t include exact measurements for the salad recipe. I just throw my ingredients into the bowl, using what looks about right for the amount of people that will be eating. I also sometimes throw cooked, chopped chicken in with it to make it a meal.
To keep things easy, I buy a bag of sliced almonds with dried cranberries. My grocery store sells a delicious yogurt poppyseed dressing, and I love it. I did my best to recreate it so that you could make it yourself if you’re not lucky enough to live near Wegmans. Using low-fat or greek yogurt as a base, instead of mayo, helps keep this a healthier dressing option.
The combination of dark greens paired with crunchy almonds and sweet cranberries, along with feta cheese (feta makes it betta is what I always say!), and topped with a sweet, tangy dressing is perfect! Even my boys have started gobbling this salad up!
![Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (4) Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (4)](https://i0.wp.com/themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/CranberryAlmondSalad1(pp_w768_h1005).jpg)
Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing
This cranberry almond salad is full of mixed greens paired with crunchy almonds, sweet dried cranberries, and feta cheese. It's topped with a creamy, healthier poppy seed dressing.
Course:Salad
Ingredients
Cranberry Almond Salad
- mix of dark greens such as spinach, romaine, chard, radicchio, arugula… (I buy the "Spring Mix")
- sliced almonds (I like honey roasted)
- dried cranberries
- crumbled feta cheese
Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing
- 6ounceslowfat plain yogurt or greek yogurt
- 2-1/2tablespoonshoney
- 1-1/2tablespoonsdijon mustard
- 1tablespoonapple cider vinegar
- 1tablespoonlemon juice
- 2teaspoonsolive oil
- 1teaspoonpoppy seeds
Instructions
Cranberry Almond Salad
Fill a large salad bowl with the lettuce mix.
Top with almonds, cranberries and feta.
Serve with Yogurt Poppyseed dressing (or your favorite dressing).
Yogurt Poppyseed Dressing
Whisk together ingredients in a small bowl until combined.
Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Store in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator. Shake before using.
![Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (6) Cranberry Almond Salad with (Healthier) Poppy Seed Dressing (6)](https://i0.wp.com/themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/CranberryAlmondSalad2(pp_w768_h1005).jpg)
Any great salad recipes that keep you eating healthier? Let me know – I’m stock piling healthy recipes now! Plus, I think my family is getting tired of me serving this salad every other day, so they’d appreciate some suggestions! 🙂
-Manda