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Heirloom Apple Salad

Heirloom Apple Salad
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Heirloom Apple Salad is a crisp, vibrant dish that perfectly captures the essence of autumn by combining sweet and tart heirloom apples with fresh greens, toasted nuts, tangy cheese, dried cranberries, and a simple apple cider vinaigrette. This easy-to-prepare salad brings together bright, balanced flavors and textures, making it an ideal choice for cozy fall gatherings or light weeknight meals. Nutritious and versatile, it highlights seasonal produce while being adaptable to various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups mixed heirloom apples, thinly sliced or cut into bite-sized chunks (with skin on)
  • 4 cups mixed greens (arugula or baby spinach)
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
  • 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Vinaigrette

  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for variation)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Apples: Wash the heirloom apples thoroughly, then cut them into thin slices or bite-sized chunks, leaving the skin on to preserve texture and nutrients.
  2. Assemble the Greens: Rinse the mixed greens and pat them dry to ensure the salad isn’t watery; then place them as the base in your salad bowl.
  3. Add Nuts and Dried Fruit: Toast the walnuts or pecans lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their flavor, then sprinkle them alongside the dried cranberries over the greens and apples.
  4. Crumble the Cheese: Top the salad with crumbled blue cheese or your preferred alternative for that creamy, slightly salty flavor burst.
  5. Whisk and Drizzle the Vinaigrette: Combine apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper; whisk until emulsified, then drizzle evenly over the salad before gently tossing to combine all ingredients.

Notes

  • Use a variety of apples: Mixing sweet and tart apples boosts complexity in flavor and texture.
  • Toast nuts before adding: This brings out their natural oils and deepens flavor.
  • Dress the salad just before serving to avoid sogginess.
  • Keep ingredients chilled: Cold apples and greens make the salad crispier and more refreshing.
  • Adjust sweetness and acidity of the vinaigrette according to your taste.
  • Toss apple slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: heirloom apple salad, autumn salad, fall recipe, fresh salad, healthy salad, gluten free, seasonal salad

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/heirloom-apple-salad/