Holiday salad with cranberry-cherry maple vinaigrette and candied walnuts

Indulge in a festive holiday salad featuring a delightful blend of tangy cranberry-cherry maple vinaigrette paired with crunchy candied walnuts.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh cranberries (or leftover cranberry jelly)
• 2-3 tablespoons hot-sweet pepper jelly
• 1/3 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup tart cherry juice
• 2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 1 bunch chives, chopped
• 1 pinch zest from orange
• 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup grapeseed, canola or liquid coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups walnuts
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch orange zest

Instructions:

1. For the salad dressing...
2. Mix the first 7 ingredients in a pan over low heat until cranberries soften, then take it off the heat.
3. Combine chives, orange zest, and cider vinegar in a food processor or blender with the warm cranberry liquid mixture. Blend until smooth.
4. Gradually pour in oil until the dressing is emulsified.
5. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
6. Refrigerate and let it chill for an hour before serving.
7. For the candied walnuts...
8. Melt butter in a saucepan and gently cook walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon.
9. Caramelize the mixture over medium heat.
10. Add orange zest towards the end of cooking.
11. Spread out the walnuts on wax paper to cool.
12. Keep the candied walnuts in the refrigerator.

Summary:

• Calories: 2909 kcal
• Fat: 252 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Carbs: 154 g
• Potassium: 1310 mg
• Magnesium: 408 mg