Australian plant-based nutritionist Sarah Cobacho has unveiled her signature festive creation just in time for the holiday season. The renowned nutrition expert is sharing her vibrant maple pecan salad that combines seasonal produce with wholesome ingredients for a perfect Christmas side dish.
The Perfect Festive Side Dish
This colourful salad brings together roasted butternut squash and cauliflower with crispy chickpeas, creating a textural masterpiece that's both nutritious and delicious. The recipe serves as an ideal plant-based option for Australian holiday tables, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional heavy dishes.
Cobacho's creation features 2.5 cups of diced butternut squash and half a head of cauliflower florets, roasted with a special blend of spices including sweet paprika, cumin, and cinnamon. The vegetables are baked at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes, developing rich, caramelised flavours that form the foundation of this festive dish.
Key Ingredients and Preparation
The salad's star components include candied maple pecans made with pecan halves, maple syrup, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for subtle heat. These are baked separately for just 8 minutes then cooled until crisp, providing the perfect sweet and spicy crunch.
For the protein element, two cups of cooked chickpeas are roasted with olive oil and sea salt flakes until crispy, adding substantial texture and nutrition to the final assembly. The fresh elements include mixed leaf salad, diced avocado, pomegranate seeds, and fresh mint, creating a beautiful colour contrast on the plate.
Zesty Maple Vinaigrette Dressing
The dressing brings all components together with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavours. Made with finely diced shallot, whole grain mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar, this vinaigrette complements the roasted vegetables and sweet pecans beautifully.
Cobacho provides helpful notes for Australian home cooks, including important tips about fan versus conventional ovens. She recommends increasing temperature by 10-20°C for conventional ovens and checking doneness towards the end of baking time, as all ovens vary slightly.
The nutritionist emphasises serving the salad immediately after assembly to maintain the best texture, ensuring the crisp elements don't become soggy. This festive maple pecan salad represents the growing trend of plant-based holiday options that don't compromise on flavour or celebration appeal.
