Ensalada De Nochebuena Recipe

I gotta say, I was totally hyped to throw together this mix of crunchy jicama, tender beets, juicy oranges, tangy apple slices, and even banana rounds, all tossed with pomegranate seeds, shredded cabbage, and toasted walnuts in a zesty lime-honey dressing that just brings all the vibes together like no other salad ever has.

I think my Ensalada De Nochebuena is an awesome mix of crunch and freshness. I love how jicama and boiled beets work with citrusy oranges and thin apple slices to bring a balance of flavors.

My addition of fresh lime juice, honey and olive oil gives a tangy, nutritious kick.

Ingredients

• Jicama: Crunchy, loaded with fiber and water, lends a refreshing crisp texture.
• Beets: Earthy and sweet, offering antioxidants and essential nutrients for a healthy boost.
• Oranges: Provide a zesty tang and vitamin C that brighten up the salad flavors.
• Apple: Adds tart crunch and fiber, making the salad satisfyingly fresh and light.
• Banana: Contributes a gentle sweetness and creamy texture, balancing the tang and crunch.
• Pomegranate seeds: Juicy and vibrant, rich in antioxidants and iron for extra goodness.
• Cabbage: Adds mild crunch and vitamins, binding the salad together nicely.
• Walnuts: Give a nutty taste, healthy fats, and a satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Olive oil: Drizzled for richness, offers healthy fats and extra flavor nuances.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 medium jicama, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• 2 medium beets, boiled until tender, peeled and julienned
• 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
• 1 apple (like Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
• 1 banana, sliced into rounds
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make this

1. First, peel the jicama and cut it into matchsticks. Set it aside in a big mixing bowl.

2. Boil the beets until tender, then peel them and julienne them. Add these to the bowl with the jicama.

3. Peel the oranges and carefully segment them, removing any pith or seeds. Toss them into the salad bowl.

4. Core the Granny Smith apple and slice it thinly. Put the apple slices into the bowl too.

5. Slice the banana into rounds and mix it in with the other fruit and veg.

6. Gently stir in the shredded cabbage and pomegranate seeds ensuring even distribution.

7. Add the toasted walnuts, roughly chopped, to give a nice crunch to the mix.

8. In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp olive oil.

9. Pour the lime dressing over the salad and give everything a careful toss until all the ingredients are lightly coated.

10. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

Equipment Needed

1. Vegetable peeler
2. Chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Medium saucepan for boiling the beets
6. Colander for draining the beets
7. Small bowl for mixing the lime dressing
8. Stirring spoon for tossing the salad

FAQ

• Q: Can I substitute any fruits or veggies in this recipe?
  
  A: Yeah, you can mix it up if you dont have a particular ingredient. For example, use a different crunchy fruit or vegetable if you like.
• Q: How do I prep the jicama for the salad?
  
  A: Just peel it and cut it into matchsticks. Make sure its nice and crisp before mixing it with the rest.
• Q: What’s the easiest way to boil the beets?
  
  A: Boil them until they’re tender enough to easily pierce with a fork. Then peel and julienne them once they cool down.
• Q: Can this salad be made ahead of time?
  
  A: It’s best to serve it fresh. You can prep the ingredients earlier but toss it together right before serving to keep it crunchy.
• Q: What’s the secret to keeping the flavors balanced?
  
  A: The trick is in the dressing. Mix fresh lime juice, honey, and olive oil well, and dont forget a pinch of salt and pepper.

Ensalada De Nochebuena Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can swap the jicama for crisp celery or cucumber if you want a similar crunch.
• If you’ve no beets, try using some roasted carrots as a tasty alternative.
• Instead of oranges, clementines or tangerines work great and give a sweeter twist.
• A Granny Smith apple can be replaced with a tart pear, which also holds its shape in the salad.
• If toasted walnuts ain’t available, chopped pecans or sliced almonds give a nice nutty flavor.

Pro Tips

Okay, here goes a more human and casual version of the recipe along with some pro tips to help you kick it up a notch:

1. First of all, peel your jicama and cut it into matchstick-sized pieces. Toss them into a big bowl. Pro tip: If you soak the jicama in a pinch of salted water for a few minutes, it really helps tone down any hint of bitterness.

2. Next, boil the beets until they’re tender. Once they’re cool enough to handle, peel them and slice them into thin, julienned strips. Then add ‘em to the matching jicama. Pro tip: Make sure you don’t overcook the beets – you still want them to hold a bit of texture and colour.

3. Now, peel your oranges and carefully pull out the segments, ditching the pith and any stray seeds. After that, core the Granny Smith apple and slice it super thinly. Mix both in with the other ingredients. Pro tip: Use a sharp knife for the apple – it makes the slices more uniform which not only looks prettier but helps every bite balance the flavors.

4. Slice the banana into little rounds and stir it in gently along with the shredded cabbage and pomegranate seeds. Finally, add in the roughly chopped toasted walnuts for crunch. Pro tip: Add the banana just before serving if you can – it helps prevent it from browning and keeps the texture fresh.

5. In a small bowl, blend together 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Drizzle this dressing evenly over your salad, then give everything a careful toss until it’s lightly coated. A final pinch of salt and a dash of pepper later, your dish is ready to serve.

Hope these tweaks and tips make the recipe even jam-packed with flavor and fun to put together! Enjoy!