Description
Crisp apple delight salad brings together seasonal orchard fruits with tangy dressing. Crunchy textures and zesty flavors invite you to savor each refreshing bite of this classic seasonal preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups mixed greens or tender lettuces (like butter, Bibb lettuce, frisee)
- 1 crisp tart apple (like Pink Lady)
- ¼ cup feta or goat cheese crumbles
- ¼ cup candied pecans (or toasted pecans)
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper (optional)
- Optional: chopped fresh thyme, for garnish
Instructions
- Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk maple syrup, apple cider, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Emulsification Process: Gradually incorporate olive oil while continuously whisking to develop a silky, cohesive dressing that harmonizes all components.
- Salad Composition: Layer mixed greens across a spacious platter, creating a lush green canvas for the remaining ingredients.
- Ingredient Arrangement: Meticulously distribute apple slices, candied pecans, cheese crumbles, and pomegranate seeds (or dried cranberries) in an elegant, balanced pattern across the greens.
- Dressing Application: Delicately drizzle the prepared maple vinaigrette over the salad, allowing it to gently cascade and enhance the medley of flavors.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with finely chopped fresh thyme leaves to introduce a subtle herbaceous essence and elevate the salad’s aromatic profile before presenting to guests.
Notes
- Slice Precisely: Cut apples uniformly to ensure every bite has consistent texture and elegant presentation.
- Emulsify Carefully: Whisk olive oil slowly into vinaigrette to create a smooth, perfectly blended dressing that clings beautifully to ingredients.
- Balance Flavors: Distribute toppings evenly across greens to guarantee a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and nutty elements in each forkful.
- Garnish Strategically: Add fresh thyme just before serving to maintain herb’s vibrant flavor and aromatic quality, preventing wilting or flavor loss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg