Holiday Salad with Apple Cider Dressing
User Reviews
5
Holiday Salad with Apple Cider Dressing
Description
The Holiday Salad with Apple Cider Dressing features leafy greens paired with sweet and crisp apple slices, sharp red onions, tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and optionally tangy gorgonzola cheese. The apple cider dressing consists of raw apple cider vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and black pepper, stirred together until emulsified.
The preparation involves assembling the greens and toppings in a large bowl and dressing the salad just before serving to maintain freshness, especially preventing apple browning. The dressing may be adjusted in sweetness by varying the honey amount and can include a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor further.
This salad pairs well with holiday meals or as a refreshing side dish. The dressing can be made up to three days in advance and stored refrigerated. Leftover dressing keeps up to five days airtight.
Ingredients
Apple Cider Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar raw
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
Salad Assembly:
- 1 pound mixed greens
- 1 large apple , thinly sliced
- ¼ large red onion , thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup gorgonzola cheese crumbled
Instructions
- To prepare the dressing, combine the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper in a 12-ounce glass jar with a lid. Start with just 2 tablespoons of honey, and add the other tablespoon if you'd like the dressing to be sweeter. (My family prefers using all 3 tablespoons.) Stir well, until the dressing looks well mixed, and set it aside. If you find you need to brighten the flavor, stir in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- To assemble the salad, add the leafy greens to a large salad bowl, and top them with the sliced apples, onions, dried cranberries, and pecans. You can add the blue cheese on top, too, or serve it on the side with a spoon, for guests who might not enjoy cheese.
- Pour the dressing generously over the salad, just before serving, and toss well to make sure everything is well coated. You might not need to use all of the dressing, but any leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Notes
- The dressing can be prepared up to three days ahead to simplify meal prep.
- Chop apples and onions just before assembling to prevent browning.
- Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
- Mixed greens from the store save time, but chopped romaine can substitute if preferred.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 213 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 213kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 170mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 189mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 717IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 54mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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