Winter Apple Salad (Printable Version)
Crisp apples, mixed greens, nuts, and tangy dressing create a refreshing winter salad.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Gala), cored and thinly sliced
02 - 4 cups mixed winter greens (kale, arugula, or spinach)
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
05 - 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
06 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
→ Vinaigrette
07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified and smooth.
02 - Combine mixed greens, sliced apples, red onion, pomegranate seeds, and chopped nuts in a large salad bowl.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the greens.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top and serve immediately to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of sweet apples and tangy vinaigrette cuts through rich winter comfort food like nothing else
- It comes together in fifteen minutes but looks like something from a restaurant that takes reservations
02 -
- I learned the hard way that you must dress this right before serving or the apples start to look tired and the nuts lose their will to be crispy
- Honeycrisp apples are worth every extra penny because they stay crisp for days even after they've been sliced
03 -
- Massage the kale with a little olive oil and salt if using it as your base—this transforms it from bitter and tough to silky and sweet
- The vinaigrette makes more than you need, but that's never a bad thing to have waiting in your refrigerator