festive winter glow salad.

This winter salad brings together sweet oranges, earthy beetroot and the creamy sharpness of blue cheese for a bowl that feels fresh, colourful and satisfying on colder days. It is quick to prepare, full of texture and is perfect for busy evenings or as an addition to your festive table. It takes 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients

• 2 cooked beetroot, diced or sliced

• 150g lamb’s lettuce

• 150g iceberg lettuce, chopped or shredded

• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced

• 2 oranges, peeled and cut into segments

• 50g walnuts, roughly chopped

• 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds

• 3 tbsp dried cranberries

• 80–100g blue cheese, crumbled

• Optional: 300–400g cooked shredded chicken (or swap for roasted tofu, salmon or halloumi)

Honey & olive oil dressing

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• Salt and black pepper

Method

1. Place the lamb’s lettuce and iceberg lettuce into a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced red onion.

2. Gently fold in the orange segments, walnuts, pomegranate seeds and dried cranberries.

3.Lightly pat the cooked beetroot dry with kitchen paper to avoid colouring the whole salad, then add it to the bowl.

4.Crumble over the blue cheese and top with shredded chicken if using.

5.Whisk together the olive oil, honey, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth.

6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Gut Health Benefits

Beetroot is a lovely one for the gut. It’s naturally high in fibre, which helps keep things moving comfortably, and it contains polyphenols – plant compounds that your beneficial gut bacteria really enjoy. Blue cheese might surprise you, but because it is fermented, it brings its own gentle gut-supportive qualities. Fermented foods contain natural microbial compounds that can help your gut feel a little more balanced.