Description
A refreshing Apple Salad featuring crisp red apples, mixed salad leaves, and a zesty dressing, topped with sweet candied walnuts and plumped dried cranberries. This bright and flavorful salad balances sweet, tart, and savory elements perfect for a light meal or elegant starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 red apple, quartered, seeds removed, finely sliced
- Squeeze of lemon juice (to stop apple browning)
- 120 g (4 oz) mixed salad leaves (4 to 5 big handfuls)
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced wedge style (not half moon)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp feta or goat cheese, crumbled (optional garnish)
Candied Walnuts
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans
Dressing
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1.5 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Candied Nuts: Place butter in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add sugar and stir briefly until the sugar mostly melts and starts bubbling. Add walnuts or pecans, continue stirring for 2 minutes to coat the nuts and caramelize the sugar. Pour out the nuts onto a parchment paper-lined tray. Spread them out and allow to cool. Roughly chop half the nuts, leaving some whole for texture.
- Plump Cranberries: Place dried cranberries in a bowl and pour over freshly boiled water. Let soak for 10 minutes to rehydrate, then drain thoroughly.
- Prepare Apple: Drizzle the finely sliced apple with lemon juice and toss well to prevent browning and maintain freshness.
- Make Dressing: In a jar, combine cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, white sugar, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously and adjust taste if needed by adding more oil to mellow, sugar for sweetness, or vinegar for tartness.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, toss mixed salad leaves with half of the apple slices and all of the red onion. Drizzle with half of the dressing and mix gently to combine.
- Finish and Serve: Scatter plumped cranberries, candied walnuts (both chopped and whole), remaining apple slices, and crumbled feta cheese over the salad. Drizzle with the remaining dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and flavors.
Notes
- Use lemon juice on apple slices promptly to prevent browning and maintain a fresh appearance.
- Allow candied nuts to cool completely before chopping to avoid melting or sticky mess.
- Adjust the dressing ingredients to suit your preferred balance of sweet, tart, and creamy.
- Feta or goat cheese is optional but adds a creamy tang that complements the sweetness of the salad.
- This salad is best served fresh to enjoy the crisp textures of the ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple salad, candied walnuts, cranberries, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, fresh salad, feta cheese, salad dressing
