Description
Mouthwatering Crunchy & Sweet Apple Salad blends crisp apples with tangy dressing for a refreshing twist. Seasonal ingredients create a delightful balance you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 medium apples (mix of sweet and tart varieties, Honeycrisp and Granny Smith), cored and diced
- ½ cup (50 g / 1.75 oz) chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted)
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.65 oz) dried cranberries or raisins
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) celery, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (30 g / 1 oz) shredded carrots (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (or mix)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp lemon juice (to prevent browning)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk Greek yogurt, honey, and apple cider vinegar into a smooth, velvety sauce. Season with salt and pepper, then let the mixture rest to develop robust flavors.
- Ingredient Integration: Slice apples into precise, thin pieces. Combine them with celery, walnuts, raisins, and carrots in a large mixing bowl, gently tossing to create a colorful and textured ensemble.
- Flavor Infusion: Delicately drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated while maintaining the individual components’ integrity.
- Final Flourish: Optional – Sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese on top to introduce a creamy, tangy element. Serve immediately for optimal crispness, or refrigerate for up to an hour to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
Notes
- Choose Crisp Apples: Select firm, fresh varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to maintain crunchiness and prevent browning in the salad.
- Prevent Apple Oxidation: Toss sliced apples with a splash of lemon juice to keep them white and fresh, avoiding unsightly browning.
- Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, light coating that complements without drowning the salad ingredients.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap walnuts with sunflower seeds for nut allergies, use dairy-free yogurt for vegan options, or replace cheese with nutritional yeast for added protein and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg