My family has a lot of interesting traditions, like Christmas Eve Salad, for example.

It’s tradition that we eat Christmas Eve Salad every Christmas Eve and just about every holiday including Thanksgiving and Easter.

I thought I’d break tradition (gasp!) just in time for the upcoming 4th of July weekend and shake up Christmas Eve Salad with a few small red, white, and blueberry changes.

I didn’t go to too much trouble.

I simply called my sister-in-law Dawn for a quick Sutter Strategy session. We changed the fruit from mandarin oranges to blueberries and raspberries, and added a splash of POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice to kick the dressing up a notch.

Ladies and gentleman, get your sparklers out and give it up for…

Christmas (Eve) in July Salad

• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
  
• 2 packets stevia (or 1 T plus 1 t Sugar)
  
• 3-4 cups spinach
  
• 3-4 cups Romaine lettuce (cut into bite-size pieces)
  
• 2 celery stalks, sliced thin (optional)
  
• 5 green onions, sliced
  
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup raspberries
  

Toast the almonds by adding stevia and almonds in a small saucepan. Cook on low heat until the stevia melts and almonds are lightly toasted. Cool the almonds on waxed paper. While the almonds are cooling combine the remaining ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add in the almonds and toss.

Dressing:

• 1 stevia packet (or 2 T sugar)
  
• 1 1/2 T red wine vinegar
• 3 T POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
  
• 1/2 t salt
  
• Dash of pepper
  
• 1/4 C vegetable oil
• 1 T chopped fresh parsley
  

Mix all ingredients together and add to the salad just before serving.

This side salad serves about 6 and is perfect for any summertime celebration. I could eat this salad as a meal but if you’d like some ideas on what to serve with it, you’re in luck.

You and all of your guests are cordially invited to the POM Wonderful Summer Menu Series where Fitness & Spice, Danica’s Daily, Kitchen Confidante, and Being Chelsea are sharing some recipe ideas for the next few weeks.

Stop by today and dig in!

Now I really must go grab a glass of liberty and work on my merry 4th of July plans…it’s going to be a blast!