Description
Crisp autumn flavors dance in this apple pecan fall salad, blending sweet and savory notes with a harmonious mix of seasonal ingredients. Maple-glazed pecans and tangy goat cheese elevate this refreshing dish, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 1 apple (Jonathan, Fuji, or Gala), diced
- 1 pear, diced
- ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup salted pecans
Dried Fruits and Nuts:
- ⅓ cup craisins (dried cranberries)
Dressing Ingredients:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking together zesty lime juice, golden honey, robust Dijon mustard, fragrant olive oil, and a pinch of seasoning in a sealed mason jar, shaking vigorously until ingredients harmonize into a smooth emulsion.
- Select a spacious salad vessel and layer crisp mixed greens as the foundational canvas.
- Artfully scatter freshly cubed crisp apple and juicy pear across the verdant greens, creating a textural landscape.
- Sprinkle tangy craisins to introduce bursts of sweet-tart complexity.
- Crumble pungent blue cheese throughout the salad, adding creamy, distinctive notes.
- Garnish with crunchy salted pecans, providing a rich, nutty counterpoint to the delicate greens.
- Gently toss the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flavors and preventing delicate components from bruising.
- Present the salad with the prepared vinaigrette alongside, inviting diners to customize their dressing intensity according to personal preference.
Notes
- Whip up the zesty dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for quick meal prep.
- Choose crisp, firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and bright flavor in the salad.
- Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
- Swap blue cheese with goat cheese or feta if you prefer a different tangy cheese option.
- Customize the salad by adding grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete and protein-packed meal.
- Opt for mixed greens that include baby spinach and arugula to boost nutritional value and add peppery undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg