Description
Crisp honeycrisp apple and feta salad offers a delightful dance of sweet and tangy flavors that celebrate fresh autumn ingredients. Crunchy apple slices and creamy feta create a perfect harmony you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 ml) mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or a spring mix)
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) toasted walnuts or pecans
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the foundation by slicing Honeycrisp apples into thin, elegant wedges, ensuring uniform cuts for visual appeal and consistent texture.
- Dice cucumber and red onion with precision, aiming for delicate, bite-sized pieces that distribute evenly throughout the salad.
- Carefully toast pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet, gently moving them around until they release a rich, nutty aroma and develop a golden-brown color.
- Create a harmonious base by layering mixed greens in a spacious serving bowl, providing a fresh and crisp foundation for the remaining ingredients.
- Artfully arrange sliced apples, cucumber, and red onion atop the greens, creating an inviting visual composition.
- Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese across the salad, allowing its creamy texture to contrast with the crisp vegetables.
- Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small container, blending until the dressing achieves a smooth, well-integrated consistency.
- Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings, ensuring a balanced blend of sweet and tangy notes that complement the salad’s ingredients.
- Gently drizzle the dressing over the salad, using a light touch to coat ingredients without overwhelming their natural flavors.
- Finish by scattering toasted nuts on top, providing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to the entire dish.
Notes
- Swap apples for pears or nectarines to create exciting seasonal variations that keep the salad feeling fresh and dynamic.
- Toast nuts carefully to prevent burning, watching them closely and stirring frequently to achieve a golden-brown color without bitter undertones.
- Customize the salad for dietary needs by replacing feta with cashew cheese for vegan options or using gluten-free nuts like almonds for those with specific restrictions.
- Prepare ingredients just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent apples from browning, ensuring a vibrant and appetizing salad presentation.
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg