While I enjoy the traditional menu and all the indulgences during the holidays, I always have room for something vibrant, something creative, and something green to contrast all those heavy meat dishes, and creamy, sweet desserts.
This Watermelon Radish Holiday Salad with Asian Citrus Dressing was a spontaneous creation after I picked up these amazing watermelon radishes from Sweet Beet Farm – a local farm run by two young, energetic farmers who love to cook.
If there is one ingredient to really liven your holiday salads this year, it’s the Watermelon Radish. It’s actually an heirloom Chinese daikon radish that’s so unassuming from the outside with its pale green skin. When you slice it open, it explodes with a Bing Bang of magenta, guaranteed to bring a smile to your face – I was smiling!
These large radishes have a very mild flavor, so they won’t overpower any salad that you use them in. They just have a refreshing crunch, and a bright color that just makes you want to eat them like candy.
Thinly slice the radish, along with salad greens, red cabbage, and a sweet Bartlett pear. Then toss with an Asian-style citrus dressing.
Finally, sprinkle on our Japanese Sesame Seasoning (Gomashio). The savory blend has been one of our most popular items in the last two weeks, so I wanted to give you another idea on how to use it. Since it’s such a versatile blend, it’s great as a finishing touch for any salad recipe.
I hope you can find these watermelon radishes in your area. They might be at your winter farmer’s market or your local co-op, or maybe even at your grocery store (if not, try growing them in your garden next year).
They will definitely be a conversation starter when you serve this Watermelon Radish Holiday Salad with Asian Citrus Dressing as the first dish on the table.
Watermelon Radish Holiday Salad with Asian Citrus Dressing
by Season with Spice
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
5oz spring mix salad, or a salad mix of your choice
A large handful of arugula
A large handful of spinach
2 cups thinly shredded red cabbage
2 sweet pears (try Bartlett) – peeled and cubed
2-3 watermelon radishes – peeled and thinly sliced (then halved if larger discs)
2 tbsp of Season with Spice's Japanese Sesame Seasoning (gomashio)
For the Asian citrus dressing:
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoon honey, or to taste
3 tbsp freshly squeezed citrus juice (I used a mix of lemon & lime. Juice from Meyer lemon, grapefruit, or orange works beautifully too)
1.5 tsp soy sauce or tamari
1/4 tsp of Season with Spice’s Ichimi Togarashi (optional, but these Japanese chili flakes lend a nice, spicy zing to the dressing)
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine the spring mix salad, arugula, spinach, red cabbage, pear, watermelon radish, and Japanese Sesame Seasoning. Then pour in the dressing, and toss well to combine. Let stand for 10 minutes. Have a taste, and make any adjustments if needed. When ready to serve, sprinkle a little more Japanese Sesame Seasoning on top.
by Season with Spice
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
5oz spring mix salad, or a salad mix of your choice
A large handful of arugula
A large handful of spinach
2 cups thinly shredded red cabbage
2 sweet pears (try Bartlett) – peeled and cubed
2-3 watermelon radishes – peeled and thinly sliced (then halved if larger discs)
2 tbsp of Season with Spice's Japanese Sesame Seasoning (gomashio)
For the Asian citrus dressing:
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoon honey, or to taste
3 tbsp freshly squeezed citrus juice (I used a mix of lemon & lime. Juice from Meyer lemon, grapefruit, or orange works beautifully too)
1.5 tsp soy sauce or tamari
1/4 tsp of Season with Spice’s Ichimi Togarashi (optional, but these Japanese chili flakes lend a nice, spicy zing to the dressing)
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine the spring mix salad, arugula, spinach, red cabbage, pear, watermelon radish, and Japanese Sesame Seasoning. Then pour in the dressing, and toss well to combine. Let stand for 10 minutes. Have a taste, and make any adjustments if needed. When ready to serve, sprinkle a little more Japanese Sesame Seasoning on top.
