Description
Honeycrisp Apple and Feta Salad blends sweet and tangy flavors from fresh ingredients. Crisp apples, creamy feta, and crunchy nuts create a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or a spring mix)
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) walnuts or pecans, toasted
- ¼ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Salad Preparation: Layer mixed greens in a spacious serving bowl, creating a verdant base for the vibrant ingredients.
- Fruit and Vegetable Composition: Slice Honeycrisp apples into thin wedges, dice cucumber and red onion with precision, then artfully arrange these elements atop the greens for a visually appealing presentation.
- Cheese Integration: Generously crumble feta across the salad, allowing its creamy texture to contrast with the crisp vegetables and fresh greens.
- Nut Toasting: In a dry skillet, gently toast pecans or walnuts until they release a rich, nutty aroma and develop a golden-brown color, infusing the salad with depth and crunch.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small container until the mixture achieves a smooth, well-integrated consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings to balance sweet and tangy notes.
- Final Assembly: Delicately drizzle the dressing over the salad, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated without being saturated. Scatter the toasted nuts on top as a final flourish, adding textural complexity and nutty undertones to the dish.
Notes
- Slice Apples Uniformly: Cut Honeycrisp apples into thin, consistent wedges for even texture and professional presentation that ensures every bite tastes and looks perfect.
- Toast Nuts Carefully: Watch nuts closely during toasting to prevent burning, moving them constantly in a dry skillet until golden brown and fragrant, enhancing their rich flavor without scorching.
- Balance Dressing Proportions: Whisk dressing ingredients gradually, tasting and adjusting sweet-tangy balance to complement salad ingredients without overpowering delicate flavors like feta and fresh greens.
- Serve Immediately: Prepare salad just before serving to maintain crisp vegetable textures and prevent ingredients from becoming soggy, preserving the vibrant, fresh quality of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg