Caprese Christmas Wreath

Caprese Christmas Wreath- With just 5 ingredients and less than 10 minutes, you can make this beautiful Christmas salad. A perfect addition for holiday parties that’s festive and fun!

Earlier this year I signed up for the local CSA (community supported agriculture). I’ve always wanted to give back to the community in some way. While you might think I’m the one gaining here as I reap the benefits of the produce, the truth is this is definitely a way to give back to the local farmers here in Miami. French Farms is the CSA I joined. And let me just say that his lettuce has spoiled me. Might never be able to go back to store bought lettuce as it’s just that good. Enter this Caprese Christmas Wreath using some of his arugula, although any salad greens will work!

A common theme I have with patients at the holidays and really at any time of the year is how to ‘sprinkle fiber’ into their daily routine. Fiber is found in plants. Whether you’re trying to incorporate more whole grains, more fruits and/or veggies, or even throw some beans and/or nuts into the mix, fiber is often lacking in our diets. Fiber may be known for helping people to go to the bathroom, however, it also lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, helps stabilize blood sugar levels, and even prevents certain cancers. We need MORE fiber. Vegetables might not be the star of your holiday party and as a dietitian I completely understand. It’s important to include them, because if vegetables are brought to the party, odds are someone might just eat them!

Ingredients: Caprese Christmas Wreath

This Caprese Christmas Wreath is *perfect* for the holiday season. The wreath shape is festive, fun, and sure to make vegetables look appealing! Not to mention that the balsamic vinaigrette makes the vegetables taste delicious, which is also important when it comes to vegetables! Fiber is healthy for us, but also needs to provide that flavor we all need too!

• Greens: While a traditional caprese salad only has tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, I added a leafy green here to make into a full salad. Remember, more veggies, all the better to get our fiber in. Use your favorite salad greens for the base of the wreath.
• Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are the perfect size for decorating the wreath, not to mention that pop of red that you’re looking for! I used one that is a tad bigger as that’s what I had on hand.
• Mozzarella: Aim for fresh mozzarella pearls and/or balls as they’re smaller in size. However, if you can’t find the little pearls, simply cut the fresh mozzarella into small bite-sized pieces.
• Fresh Basil: Basil is essential in caprese salad. I used fresh basil leaves and tucked them in as part of the wreath. However, a whole leaf of basil is quite strong, so you could always chiffon the basil into little strips and sprinkle over the leaves/salad greens as well.
• Basil Vinaigrette: You can either use my homemade balsamic vinaigrette or you can use a store bought balsamic glaze. The glaze does have some extra sweetness from sugar, but remember you’re drizzling it on and not dousing it on. Both will work great!

How To Make A Caprese Christmas Wreath

This is one of my ‘is it really a recipe’ recipes. Writing this down to give some simple directions, however, the amounts will vary depending on your serving platter/board. Use my pictures for a little inspiration!

1. On a large round platter and/or board, use the salad greens to form a circle that starts to resemble a wreath. Leave a hole in the center – see picture above.
2. Decorate with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, spacing them every so often – see picture.
3. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and/or a balsamic glaze. Leave extra dressing to the side if guests want more.
4. Serve! Enjoy! If you serve vegetables I promise people will eat them. They just have to be brought to the party!

There are so many variations you can make to have other fun and festive wreaths: pear slices, cucumber slices, pomegranate arils, cheese cut into stars. The key is to get creative! No wrong answers here since veggies are at the party! And if you want to make individual salad wreaths on salad plates, that too is an option. Who knew fiber could be festive and fun! Happy Holidays!

Other Veggies for the Holidays

• Roasted Carrots – Garlic, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese
• Skillet Roasted Brussels
• Roasted Green Beans
• Crispy Roasted Cabbage

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