Harvest Apple Walnut Salad with Mapledijon Vinaigrette

Recipe Introduction: Fallin' for This Salad!

Ever get that craving for something that just screams autumn? This fall salad is exactly that. It's like a hug in a bowl, packed with all those cozy flavors we associate with this time of year.

Honestly, this might just become your new go-to autumn salad .

This recipe brings together the best of the harvest salad world! Think crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and tangy cranberries. This makes a delightful side dish or a light lunch.

The Maple Dijon vinaigrette is the real star, adding a touch of sweetness and a whole lot of flavour. It’s super easy to make, and your taste buds will thank you.

An Ode to Autumn Flavors

This vibrant fall salad recipes draws inspiration from classic harvest salad traditions. It’s the perfect marriage of sweet, savory, and tangy.

Even better? This easy salad recipes is incredibly simple to whip up, taking only about 25 minutes from start to finish.

You'll get about 4 servings. This is perfect for sharing... or not!

Why You'll Adore This Apple & Walnut Salad

Not only is this salad bursting with flavour, but it's also packed with nutrients. The spinach salad base is a great source of vitamins, while the apples and walnuts add fibre and healthy fats.

It’s an ideal thanksgiving side dish salad or a delightful lunch recipes . And it might become a staple! Honestly, the apple salad paired with a maple dijon vinaigrette is such a game changer, you have to try it to believe it.

Time to Toss It Up: Ingredients & Equipment for Your Perfect Fall Salad

Right then, let's talk about what you need to whip up this cracking fall salad recipe . Seriously, this isn't just any salad.

It’s a proper harvest salad filled with all the autumnal goodness. We're talking crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and a dressing that'll make you wanna lick the bowl.

Are you ready?

Gather 'Round: Main Ingredients for a Fall Harvest Salad

Okay, here's what you need. Don't worry, nothing too fancy!

• Baby Spinach: 6 oz (170g) . Look for vibrant green leaves, not wilted and sad. Seriously, nobody wants a sad salad.
• Apples: 2 medium ones (about 300g ). Honeycrisp or Fuji are great. They should be firm and juicy. We're going for that satisfying crunch. Think of it as an apple salad .
• Dried Cranberries: ½ cup (60g) . Adds a lovely sweetness and chewiness. Makes it a proper cranberry salad .
• Walnuts: ½ cup (50g) . Roughly chopped. Give them a sniff. Fresh walnuts smell, well, nutty! This makes a delicious walnut salad .
• Goat Cheese (Optional): 4 oz (115g) . Adds a lovely tang. If you're not a fan, leave it out or try feta.

Seasoning Symphony: The Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Breakdown

Honestly, the dressing is where the magic happens.

• Olive Oil: ¼ cup (60ml) . Use a good quality one. You'll taste the difference.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Adds a lovely tang. If you don't have any, white wine vinegar works.
• Maple Syrup: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Go for the real stuff. It adds a beautiful sweetness that's key for an autumn salad .
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . For that little bit of zip! This is your maple dijon vinaigrette , sorted.
• Garlic: 1 clove (3g) , minced. Adds a bit of zing.
• Salt: ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) . Balances the flavors.
• Black Pepper: ⅛ teaspoon (0.75g) . Adds a little kick.

Don’t like Maple Syrup? Honey can work in a pinch. The key thing here is building that delicious apple cider vinaigrette .

Your Kitchen Arsenal: Equipment You'll Need

Keep it simple. You don’t need fancy gadgets.

• Large Bowl: For tossing the salad. Obvious, innit?
• Small Bowl: For mixing the dressing.
• Whisk: To get that dressing nice and emulsified. A fork works in a pinch.
• Small Skillet: For toasting the walnuts. Keep an eye on them, or they'll burn. Think of this fall salad as a blank canvas. You can totally adapt it to your liking. Throw in some roasted butternut squash or some pomegranate seeds if you fancy! This recipe is not only a delight to eat, but it is gluten-free salad , and can easily be converted to a vegan salad option . Making it a fantastic thanksgiving side dish salad .

Get Your Autumn On: Making the Perfect Fall Salad

Oh my gosh, you guys, it's that time of year again! The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and pumpkin spice is, well, everywhere .

But let's ditch the basic pumpkin spice latte for a sec, alright? We're making a fall salad that’s actually good for you and tastes amazing.

Seriously, this is no rabbit food. This harvest salad is packed with flavor!

Prep Like a Pro: Setting Up Your Fall Salad

First things first: mise en place . Sounds fancy, right? It just means getting everything ready before you start. Wash your spinach, slice your apples, chop your walnuts… you know the drill.

For time saving, chop the apples right before you assemble or toss them with a bit of lemon juice. Honestly , nobody wants brown apple slices in their apple salad .

Safety tip: watch those fingers when you're chopping! Trust me , I've been there.

Salad Assembly: step-by-step Goodness

Here’s how to bring this autumn salad to life:

1. Toast those Walnuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add your ½ cup walnuts and toast for 3- 5 minutes , stirring like mad, till they smell nutty and are a light golden brown.
2. Vinaigrette Time: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced clove of garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Whisk till it’s all mixed up.
3. Salad Base: In a big bowl, mix 6 oz baby spinach, sliced apples (about 2 medium), ½ cup dried cranberries, and those toasted walnuts.
4. Dress It Up: Pour the maple dijon vinaigrette over the salad. Don't drown it! Toss gently.
5. Cheese, Please (Optional): Sprinkle 4 oz of crumbled goat cheese on top. If you like, add more cheese.
6. Serve ASAP: Enjoy this cranberry salad fresh!

Fall Salad Pro Tips and Tricks

Want to take your fall salad recipes up a notch? Here's the lowdown:

• Toasting walnuts is key . It brings out so much flavor. Don't skip it!
• Don't drown your salad in dressing! Start with a little and add more to taste. Soggy salad is a disaster , mate.
• For a vegan vegan salad option , skip the goat cheese (or find a vegan one) and agave nectar would be better option to use instead of maple syrup in the vinaigrette.

So there you have it! A fall harvest salad that's both healthy and delicious. It's perfect as a light lunch or a thanksgiving side dish salad .

Honestly, once you try this apple salad , you might just become a fall salad convert like me!

Recipe Notes for Your Perfect Fall Salad

Right then, let's talk about making this fall salad recipe truly yours. Honestly, recipes are just guidelines, innit? Feel free to get a bit creative and chuck in your own spin.

I've had a few fails myself, but that's how you learn, yeah?

How to Serve Your Autumnal Creation

This apple salad looks smashing plated up nicely. Think about layering the spinach salad as a base, then arranging the apples and cranberries on top.

Sprinkle those toasted walnuts and the goat cheese (if you're using it) like confetti. A drizzle of that maple dijon vinaigrette right before serving adds a touch of drama.

It's also a cracking side with grilled chicken or even a hearty butternut squash soup. Don't forget some lovely crusty bread to mop up all the tasty dressing.

Storing Your Harvest Salad

Right, so you've got leftovers? No worries. Keep the undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

The vinaigrette can be stored separately in a jar for about a week. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend freezing this one.

The spinach will get a bit sad and soggy, you know? To reheat, just give the dressing a good shake and toss it with the salad right before you're ready to tuck in.

Autumn Salad Variations: Make it Your Own!

Fancy a change? You could easily adapt this fall salad to suit your needs. For a vegan salad option , simply leave out the goat cheese, or use a vegan alternative.

Job done. If you are looking to reduce the total calories, simply reduce the oil amount in the dressing, or choose light vinaigrette alternative.

If you are like me and love pears, you can switch those apples for pears. It's the same with swapping the walnuts to pecans or slivered almonds.

You can even easily make it a gluten-free salad , as it already is.

Fall Salad Recipes : The Good Stuff!

Okay, so roughly speaking, each serving is about 350 calories. It’s got a decent amount of fiber from the spinach and apples.

Plus, walnuts are packed with healthy fats. The cranberry salad is also a good source of antioxidants, which is always a good thing.

This isn't just a tasty thanksgiving side dish salad ; it's actually pretty good for you, too!. And it’s definitely a winning lunch recipes that leaves you feeling energised, not sluggish.

So, there you have it. All the extra bits and bobs to make your apple cranberry walnut salad absolutely perfect.

Don't be afraid to have a go and see what works for you. Happy salad making!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this fall salad ahead of time?

You can prep some of the ingredients in advance, absolutely! Toast the walnuts, whisk the vinaigrette, and chop the apples (tossing them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning, mind you) a day before. However, it's best to assemble the salad just before serving to prevent the spinach from getting soggy.

Nobody wants a sad, wilted salad!

What are some good substitutions for ingredients in this autumn salad?

Fancy a bit of a change? No worries! If you don't have walnuts, pecans or slivered almonds work wonderfully. If apple cider vinegar isn't in the cupboard, white wine vinegar or even a squeeze of lemon juice will do in a pinch.

You could also swap the apples for pears for a slightly different flavour profile, it's your salad after all!

How should I store leftover fall salad?

Ideally, this fall salad is best enjoyed immediately, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the vinaigrette separate if possible, and add it just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

Leftovers are usually best consumed within 1-2 days otherwise, the spinach will start to weep like someone watching Love Actually.

Is this autumn salad healthy? What are the nutritional benefits?

You bet! This salad is packed with goodness. Spinach is a great source of vitamins and minerals, apples provide fiber, and walnuts are full of healthy fats. The maple Dijon vinaigrette adds flavour without being overly heavy.

Remember to check the nutrition labels on your ingredients for the most accurate nutritional breakdown, and portion size is key for maintaining a balanced diet!

Can I add protein to make this fall salad a complete meal?

Definitely! Adding a source of protein will transform this into a more substantial dish. Grilled chicken or salmon are excellent choices, as the smoky flavors complement the salad's sweetness. For a vegetarian option, try adding chickpeas or lentils for a boost of protein and fiber. It's a win-win, really!

Can I make this fall salad vegan?

Absolutely, it's a doddle to make this salad vegan! Simply omit the goat cheese, or use a vegan goat cheese alternative (they're getting pretty good these days!). For the vinaigrette, ensure your Dijon mustard is vegan friendly and swap the maple syrup with agave nectar if you prefer.

Now, even your vegan friends can enjoy this autumnal delight!