Pomegranate Broccoli Slaw with Avocado Oil Vinaigrette. An easy to make healthy slaw that is perfect for a light salad for any holiday meal, or a way to kick of a healthy start to the new year.
Ah January. The "monday" of all the months. We finally packed away all the holiday decorations, although I am sure there are still a few lingering items here and there that I will find over the next few months. Kicked the Christmas tree to the curb ( for recycling of course) The kids went back to school, I took a week and a half off of blogging work and now we are back to the grind.
Back to healthier eating. Back to weekly meal planning. Back to eating more salads and greens. I love the holidays but WOOF I am ready for lots of salads.
This past summer we decided to a little landscaping and plant some fruit trees. One was a pomegranate tree. I had no idea that pomegranates grew so well in Las Vegas. On many walks with our dogs we would oooh and aaah over neighbor's trees that were practically bursting with hundreds of the dark red orbs filled with sweet tart deliciousness. After seeing these trees on our walks we decided to buy one from a local nursery and plant it.
We figured we wouldn't get any fruit for a few years since the tree was so small, and our neighbors trees with the giant fruits were well over 10 feet high. Much to our surprise, the tree produced fruit all during the late summer and fall. Lots of pomegranates, but not very big ones. These were the last three from our little tree, each about the size of a small orange or large lemon.
They have lasted in the fridge for a long time and we have been adding the seeds or arils into salads, over oatmeal or yogurt or just eating by the handful.
Trader Joe's also sells the seeds in packs which saves on time and is a lot less messy. Cutting open a pomegranate looks like a murder scene. A fruit murder scene.
Another Trader Joe's favorite is their broccoli slaw. I have been a lifelong fan of Trader Joe's and all of their pre-packaged salad mixes are staples in our house. Open a bag, dump the mix into a bowl, add other salad toppings and a light vinaigrette and I have a BIG salad! I eat these almost daily. At least now I am backing to eating them almost daily.
December - I was eating more Christmas cookies than salads. January - all about salads. This slaw is so versatile. I will saute it with some soy and vinegar, add in cooked chicken or shrimp for a quick stir fry meal, sometimes I add in an egg and scramble that first before adding in the slaw and other protein. Sometimes I make the slaw into a cold salad like this pomegranate broccoli slaw.
For this pomegranate broccoli slaw I made an avocado oil vinaigrette. I like using olive oil for vinaigrettes, until I discovered avocado oil. I love the taste so much better and it has a high smoke point, 500 Deg F so its perfect for cooking and sauteing, brushing on meats before grilling or roasting, excellent in baked goods as well.
AND I am so proud to announce that I signed on with Chosen Foods as an ambassador this year. So you will be seeing lots of avocado oil recipes as well as other fun things this year - discounts on products, giveaways etc. I am so thrilled to be a part of the Chosen Foods Team!
This avocado oil vinaigrette is just as easy to whip up as the salad is, its lightly sweetened with honey and a touch of orange juice, a bit of tanginess from rice wine vinegar and dijon mustard. It has become my newest favorite dressing for salads.
We had this pomegranate broccoli slaw the other night with grilled pork chops and roasted baby red potatoes. Such a delicious meal!
"Recipe"
Pomegranate Broccoli Slaw with Avocado Oil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Vinaigrette:
- ⅓ C Avocado Oil
- ¼ C Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon orange juice
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Slaw:
- 5 C Broccoli Slaw One 12 ounce package from Trader Joe’s
- 1 C pomegranates arils
- ⅔ C walnuts lightly toasted and roughly chopped
- ¾ C Cranberries
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Chill 1 hour, up to overnight. Whisk again before using
- In a medium bowl combine the slaw ingredients, pour half the vinaigrette over the slaw and stir. Add the remaining vinaigrette and stir again. Serve immediately. If you like lighter dressing on salads, only use half of the vinaigrette and save the rest for another salad.
Notes
Light, fresh and delicious. A great way to start off the new year.
Christina says
If I wanted to add a crumbled cheese, what would you suggest? Blue, goat, feta???
Shanna says
Any of those would work great. I would stick with a milder blue if you go that way since the stronger kinds can be very over powering