Well we’re slowly emerging from our holiday food coma here. It was a whirlwind few days of celebration and of course all our favorite holiday foods (which I was woefully bad at documenting, but trust me when I tell you it was pretty amazing). But now, it’s time to resume a better, healthier way of living, so I thought I’d share a go-to holiday salad that looks festive and bright, super easy, and the perfect compliment to a holiday buffet table.

2 cans mandarin oranges, undrained
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Dash of freshly ground pepper
1 package of baby spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup candied pecans

Drain the oranges, reserving 2 tbsp of juice. In a small mason jar, mix oil, vinegar, salt, nutmeg, pepper and reserved juice. Shake everything up and set aside.

In a salad bowl, combine spinach, oranges and cranberries. Add dressing to taste. Toss to coat and sprinkle with pecans.

Crumbled goat cheese or feta can be added to the salad too.

Actually I should make this more often because it’s always a hit and a nice change from the traditional tossed salad.

What are some of your favorite holiday dishes? No matter what they are, I hope you enjoyed them in good health and surrounded by those you love.

Eat well, friends!