Pin It A vibrant salad featuring creamy goat cheese, sweet dates, crisp greens, and a warm spiced honey dressing—perfect for an elegant starter or a light meal.
This salad has become my go-to elegant starter when hosting friends who love Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
- Mixed salad greens: 120 g (e.g., arugula, baby spinach, frisée)
- Goat cheese: 150 g, crumbled or sliced
- Medjool dates: 8, pitted and chopped
- Toasted walnuts: 40 g, roughly chopped
- Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
- Apple: 1 small, thinly sliced (optional)
- Honey: 3 tbsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cumin: 1/4 tsp
- Ground coriander: 1/4 tsp
- Chili flakes: 1/8 tsp (optional, for mild heat)
- Fresh lemon juice: 2 tbsp
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and chili flakes (if using). Warm gently for 23 minutes, stirring until aromatic. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let cool slightly.
- Step 2:
- Arrange the salad greens on a large platter or individual plates. Scatter the goat cheese, chopped dates, toasted walnuts, red onion, and apple slices (if using) evenly over the greens.
- Step 3:
- Drizzle the warm spiced honey dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Step 4:
- Toss gently to combine, or serve with dressing on the side.
Pin It My family loves gathering around the table and sharing this fresh and flavorful salad as a light meal or starter.
Notes
For extra crunch add roasted pumpkin seeds or pistachios Substitute figs or dried apricots for dates if desired Serve with crusty bread for a more substantial meal Pair with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light rosé
Required Tools
Small saucepan Whisk Salad bowl or serving platter Knife and cutting board
Nutritional Information
Calories 320 Total Fat 17 g Carbohydrates 35 g Protein 9 g
Pin It This salad perfectly balances sweet and savory notes making it a delightful starter or light meal.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients create the dressing?
The dressing blends honey warmed with cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and chili flakes, then finished with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- → Can I substitute the dates?
Figs or dried apricots can replace dates for similar sweetness and texture.
- → What nuts are used in the salad?
Toasted walnuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the salad.
- → How should I serve the salad?
Arrange all components on greens and drizzle the warm spiced honey dressing just before serving for optimal flavor.
- → Is this suitable for special diets?
This dish is vegetarian and gluten-free, though it contains tree nuts and dairy.