Description
Mediterranean-inspired arugula salad with apple and fig delight blends crisp greens and sweet fruit for a refreshing experience. Sweet and peppery notes create perfect balance, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 oz (141 g) arugula
- 3 apples, sliced very thin
- ½ cup figs, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, sliced thin
- 1 cup pecan halves
- ½ cup goat cheese crumbles
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (additional for dressing)
- 1 ½ tsps Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼–½ tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Pecan Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Toss pecan halves with maple syrup and sea salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roasting Pecans: Spread pecans evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 5-7 minutes until golden-brown and fragrant, developing a rich, crispy texture.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and sea salt in a small bowl until fully incorporated and balanced.
- Salad Assembly: Layer arugula in a large salad bowl, then strategically arrange thinly sliced apples and chopped figs across the greens. Crumble goat cheese over the fruit layer for a creamy contrast.
- Final Touches: Drizzle prepared dressing just before serving, gently tossing to coat all ingredients evenly. Top with roasted maple pecans for added crunch and visual appeal, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Notes
- Pecan Perfection: Toast pecans precisely between 5-7 minutes to achieve a golden-brown color without burning, watching carefully to maintain their delicate flavor and crisp texture.
- Dressing Balance: Taste and adjust dressing ingredients incrementally, allowing each component to harmonize for a complex yet balanced flavor profile that complements the salad’s fresh ingredients.
- Fruit Freshness: Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture, ensuring the salad looks vibrant and appetizing.
- Serving Strategy: Dress the salad immediately before consumption to prevent arugula from wilting and preserve the crisp texture of the maple pecans and fresh ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 195 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg