Arugula and Fig Salad -- The Perfect Match for Pomegranate Molasses Dressing

Fig salad, with a base of arugula and topped with pomegranate molasses dressing is a simple showstopper. When in season, fresh figs are fantastic. If not, dried figs stand in well.

For ease of browsing, find all of my pomegranate molasses recipes in one place.

Celebrate Figs with their Perfect Partner: Pomegranate Molasses

It’s hard to know what to feature in this post because every element of this arugula and fig salad is one of my favorite ingredients. And yet, this recipe is almost a guideline because you can change each element and still end up with a fantastic salad.

I Can’t Find Fresh Figs – Will Dried Figs Work?

Fig lovers seem to radiate happiness when figs start ripening on their trees or showing up in the markets. But fig season is not long (enough) so what happens when the fresh beauties are gone. Use dried figs. They work very well in this salad. Or dates – medjools are my favorite. Try a fresh fall fruit like pears or apples. Or a different dried fruit like cranberries or cherries.

What Nuts work Best?

The recipe already suggests pine or hazelnuts – both shine in this salad. But almonds or walnuts would work. No nuts in the house or can’t eat them? It’s nice to have some crunch – try some toasted pumpkin seeds or croutons!

Can I Substitute Other Cheeses for the Goat?

Creamy goat cheese is wonderful but I’ve used feta, parmesan, and manchego with great success. Or try the earthiness of a blue cheese.

What other Greens Work besides Arugula?

This salad seems best suited for dark greens and I do love the spicy bite of the arugula. But baby kale, baby spinach, a spring mix are all good choices. Did you know that arugula is also known as rocket? So depending on where you shop, you might see it identified differently.

Pomegranate Arils and Pomegranate Dressing

I love finishing this salad with the bright red hue of the pomegranate arils – it’s beautiful and their crunchy, tangy bite adds nice texture and taste to the salad. But like figs, pomegranate season is fleeting. You can usually find the arils at Trader Joe’s in a small plastic container but if you don’t have any, I can speak from experience – the salad is still a showstopper. But if you do have a fresh pomegranate – here is a great tutorial on how to seed it from the Family Spice blog.

As for the dressing – I talk about substitutes in the dressing recipe post but please, buy or make some pomegranate molasses. Once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

Check out this one-minute video to see how to compose this salad and make pomegranate molasses:

What to Serve with this Salad

• Lemony Flank Steak with Pomegranate Molasses
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Pomegranate Molasses
• Ottolenghi's Chicken with Jerusalem Artichoke and Lemon
• Grilled Chicken Kabob
• Vegan Lahmajoun (cheeseless Armenian flatbread)
• Blackberry Tarragon One-Pan Chicken

Other Pomegranate Molasses Recipes on OMG! Yummy

• How to Make Pomegranate Molasses
• Pomegranate Molasses Dressing
• Lemony Flank Steak with Pomegranate Molasses
• Instant Pot Brisket with Pomegranate Molasses
• Minty Pomegranate Mule Cocktail
• Roasted Fruit with Pomegranate Molasses
• Roasted Delicata Squash with Pomegranate Molasses and Date Syrup
• Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Two Ways

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Arugula and Fig Salad with Pomegranate Molasses Dressing

Beth Lee

An elegant but super simple salad that will take you through the season for midweek meals or weekend entertaining.

4.75 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Middle Eastern

Servings 6 servings

Calories 107 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 5 ounces arugula
• 5-8 fresh figs or dried figs quartered
• ⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese
• ¼ cup toasted pine or hazelnuts coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh pomegranate arils
• kosher salt and pepper to taste
• Pomegranate molasses dressing

Instructions

 

• Place the arugula in a salad bowl. Sprinkle the figs all over. Add the pomegranate molasses dressing and toss. Start with about 2 – 3 tablespoons of dressing and add more after your first toss if needed. Better to under dress a salad than over dress it.
• Add your salt and pepper when you adjust the dressing. After tossing, sprinkle the nuts, cheese, and pomegranate arils on top or plate it and add these three toppings to each plate.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 750IUVitamin C: 5.4mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 1mg

Keyword fig salad, pomegranante molasses

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