I love waking up to a chill in the air when the fall season arrives. I get a little pep in my step and get excited for leaves falling and all things apple. I start to crave more comfort foods and reinvent my favorite salads. I love matching them to the season and take full advantage of what mother nature has to offer like this Apple Harvest Salad. Sices of Honeycrisp apples are nestled between two types of lettuce and sprinkled with candied walnuts. The sweet-tart flavor of the apple mixed with the candied nuts and maple Dijon dressing is a great dance of flavors with each bite; the fragrant mix dressed in a maple vinaigrette is pure deliciousness. This salad was perfect on its own or with a roast but would also be an ideal side to a braise like Wine Braised Short Ribs.
Ingredients for Apple Harvest Salad:
Salad:
5 ounces of Baby Gem Lettuce
1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced into 20-24 slices
2 teaspoons lemon juice
*1 /2 cup Candied Pecans or Candied Walnuts
Maple-Dijon Dressing:
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* This is the recipe I used to make Candied Walnuts. You can use Pecans or Walnuts and halve the recipe too.
Time-Saving Tip: Prepare the dressing a few hours in advance. The Candied Walnuts are delicious made in advance but if you really want to save time feel free to use purchased ones.
Let's see what we need.
We're ready to cook.
I like to add all of the dressing ingredients in a small jar. Once I add everything, I put the lid on top and shake if you don't have a jar, a small bowl, and a spoon to stir works, too. Set aside.
Slice the apple and toss with the lemon juice.
I like to layer this salad on a platter. But feel free to toss everything together in a large bowl. Drizzle some of the dressing on top and add more as needed.
It's ready! Harvest Apple Salad is so crisp and delicious. It's the perfect side dish to anything you have cooking this fall. Or you can even top it with a grilled piece of salmon for a great light meal.
Enjoy!
Apple Harvest Salad:
Salad:
5 ounces of Baby Gem Lettuce
1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced into 20-24 slices
2 teaspoons lemon juice
*1 /2 cup Candied Pecans or Candied Walnuts
Maple-Dijon Dressing:
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* This is the recipe I used to make Candied Walnuts. You can use Pecans or Walnuts and halve the recipe too.
I like to add all of the dressing ingredients in a small jar. Once I add everything, I put the lid on top and shake if you don't have a jar, a small bowl, and a spoon to stir works, too. Set aside.
Slice the apple and toss with the lemon juice.
I like to layer this salad on a platter. But feel free to toss everything together in a large bowl. Drizzle some of the dressing on top and add more as needed.
Time-Saving Tip: Prepare the dressing a few hours in advance. The Candied Walnuts are delicious made in advance but if you really want to save time feel free to use purchased ones.