Fresh Cherry Salad Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
220 kcal
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Course
Salad
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Cuisine
North American
Fresh Cherry Salad Recipe
Description
The Fresh Cherry Salad Recipe layers several complementary components to create a multi-dimensional salad. The base consists of tender baby arugula and fresh cherries cut in half to reveal their sweet and tart interiors. Creamy goat cheese adds a mild tang and smooth contrast, while avocado can be substituted to keep it paleo and vegan-friendly.
The candied pepper pecans introduce a crunchy and sweet-spicy element. Pecans are toasted until fragrant, then coated with maple syrup and black pepper before being finished with butter to prevent stickiness and add richness. This combination amplifies the pecans' natural flavor and adds a subtle heat.
The fresh cherry balsamic vinaigrette blends pitted fresh cherries with avocado oil, white balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of sea salt. Blended until smooth, it imparts a fruity, tangy dressing that complements the salad ingredients. Tossing the components together results in a balanced salad featuring crisp greens, juicy fruit, creamy cheese or avocado, and textured pecans all under a bright dressing.
Ingredients
Candied Pepper Pecans
- 1 cup pecans
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon butter
Fresh Cherry Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup Cherry packed, fresh, pitted
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or another neutral flavored oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or sub apple cider vinegar
- sea salt a pinch
Arugula and Fresh Cherry Salad
- 10 ounces arugula baby
- 2 cups Cherry cut in half, pitted
- 2 ounces goat cheese sub a diced avocado for paleo and vegan
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Once they begin to brown and smell fragrant, add the maple syrup and black pepper to the pan and stir until the pan is mostly dry. Remove the pan from the heat, add the butter and mix it through the pecans. (The butter prevents them from being too sticky.) Transfer the pecans to a piece of parchment paper in a single layer and let them cool.
- Place the fresh cherry vinaigrette ingredients into your blender and blend on high until smooth. Feel free to double or triple the recipe to have extra!
- Add the baby arugula, fresh cherries, goat cheese or avocado, and the candied pecans to a large salad bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the top and toss to coat.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving = ⅛ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 220kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 47mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 302mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 964IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 94mg | 9% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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