Recipe

Amidst the dazzling array of rich, aromatic Christmas dishes, a salad that sparkles like rubies, fresh and crisp, is essential for balancing the palate and brightening the table. This salad combines the sweet-tartness of cranberries, the brightness of citrus, the crunch of nuts, and the richness of cheese. Your Geedel vegetable chopper will make preparing this salad exceptionally elegant—from creating a crisp base to emulsifying a smooth dressing, every step is effortless and precise.

Ingredients:  

For the salad:  

1 head of crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce  

1 small head of radicchio (or arugula)  

1 navel orange  

1/2 cup dried cranberries  

1/2 cup pecans  

1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese  

For the Honey Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing:  

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil  

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice  

1 tablespoon honey  

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard  

1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds  

Salt and black pepper to taste  

Instructions:  

1. Prepare an ultra-crisp salad base:

Tear the lettuce and radicchio leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Key step: Place them in batches into the spinning salad spinner basket that comes with your Geedel manual food chopper.  

Close the spinner lid tightly and turn the handle quickly and firmly. The centrifugal force will thoroughly remove all excess moisture from the leaves, collecting it at the bottom of the container. This step ensures the salad remains remarkably crisp until serving and won’t become soggy quickly from the dressing.

2. Prepare toppings for varied texture:

Empty the container and install the cross-shaped chopping blade. Place the pecans inside, close the lid tightly, and pulse the handle 4–5 times to coarsely chop the nuts. Set aside.  

Place the cheese blocks into the container (no need to clean it first) and pulse 2–3 times to break them into irregular crumbles.

3. Make a smooth holiday dressing:

Remove the chopping blade and install the white mixing paddle. Add the fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to the container.  

Close the lid and begin turning the handle steadily. While turning, slowly drizzle the olive oil in a thin stream through the feed opening on the lid. You’ll see the dressing gradually emulsify, thicken, and become glossy. Continue turning for about 30 seconds until the dressing is fully combined.  

Open the lid, add the poppy seeds, and pulse a few more times to mix evenly.

4. Assemble and present:

Spread the thoroughly dried lettuce and radicchio on a salad bowl or a large platter. Peel the orange and separate it into membrane-free segments, scattering them evenly over the greens.  

Sprinkle with dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and cheese crumbles.  

Just before serving, drizzle the homemade Honey Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing over the salad and toss gently, or serve the dressing on the side for guests to add as desired.

Summary:

This salad is more than a side dish—it’s a light yet gorgeous highlight on the holiday table. With its versatility, the Geedel food chopper perfectly handles every task, from ensuring a crisp base to preparing toppings and emulsifying a professional-quality dressing. It makes creating a restaurant-worthy holiday salad so simple and efficient, allowing you to devote more time to precious moments with family.