The Thanksgiving Day feast is right around the corner! Just the thought of some of our favorite seasonal foods and heirloom recipes can make the mouth water. For some, the plan is to just throw caution to the wind and enjoy this ONE day of feasting. Not a bad idea. But, what about the next day? What about those leftovers?
Whether your plan is to practice some moderate restraint or throw caution to the wind at holiday meals or events, many people struggle to get back on track with their usual diet the day after the big meal.
Too often one day of indulgence seems to turn into a downward spiral of over-eating that culminates on January 2. My recommendation is to plan for the day after. What’s on your menu for the Friday after Thanksgiving or the big holiday party? Instead of diving into plates filled with leftovers of carb-laden goodness in the days that follow your holiday event, consider planning out your meals for the following week. Add plenty of wholesome fruits and veggies to your shopping list while being mindful of including a selection of some of your Thanksgiving day foods to your meals, such as adding leftover turkey to a colorful salad or paring leftover cranberry salad and green beans with grilled salmon.
The recipe that follows is a wonderful example of a flavorful and nutritious salad that you can “look forward to” even after the big feast!
Pomegranate, Pear and Walnut Salad
This gorgeous salad is loaded with seasonal favorites – pomegranate seeds, pears and cranberries. Enjoy as a tasty side dish to any meal or add in some leftover Thanksgiving day turkey or roasted chicken for a great entree salad.
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 pear, sliced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 3 ounces goat or blue cheese, crumbled
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp pomegranate balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup walnut oil
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Dash pepper
Directions:
- Combine greens in large bowl with other main ingredients.
- In small bowl, combine vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk to blend. Drizzle over salad, toss to combine.
- Optional: add chopped chicken breast or leftover turkey for a wonderful entree salad.
Yield: 6 servings
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