Description
Crisp green apples dance with sweet candied walnuts in this delightful salad that balances tart cranberries and fresh greens. Cool autumn flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite of seasonal comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or romaine)
- 2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala)
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/2 cup candied walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
Seasoning:
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
- Prepare a spacious salad bowl and layer crisp salad greens as the foundational base.
- Artfully arrange thinly sliced apple segments across the greens, creating an elegant visual pattern.
- Scatter dried cranberries and roughly chopped candied walnuts over the apple slices, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle thinly sliced red onion throughout the salad for a subtle sharp contrast.
- Gently drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad, using a light hand to coat ingredients without overwhelming them.
- Delicately toss the components to ensure each element is lightly dressed and well-integrated.
- Crown the salad with crumbled feta cheese, allowing the tangy cheese to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Serve immediately to maintain the crisp textures and fresh ingredients, presenting a delightful blend of sweet, tart, and savory notes.
Notes
- Customize dressing intensity by adjusting vinegar and honey ratios for personal taste preferences.
- Toast walnuts briefly before candying to enhance their nutty flavor and create deeper caramelization.
- Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture.
- Substitute feta with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for dairy-free dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch, Appetizer, Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg