Harvest Cranberry Walnut Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 4
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Welcome to a delightful blend of flavors with our Harvest Cranberry Walnut Salad. This recipe is perfect for those crisp autumn days when you want something fresh, tangy, and a tad sweet. It's a vibrant mix that celebrates the season's best ingredients.

Ingredients for Harvest Cranberry Walnut Salad

The foundation of our salad is a mix of salad greens that add freshness and a crisp texture. Dried cranberries bring a chewy sweetness, complementing the savory elements. Toasted walnuts add a crunchy texture and a nutty depth, while goat cheese provides a creamy, tangy richness. A crisp apple offers a juicy, sweet bite, and red onion contributes a subtle sharpness. For the dressing, olive oil serves as a smooth base, apple cider vinegar brings tanginess, maple syrup adds natural sweetness, Dijon mustard offers a hint of spice, and a touch of salt and pepper rounds it all out.

Tips & Tricks

  • Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes to enhance their flavor.
  • For an extra flavor boost, let the onions soak in cold water for a few minutes to mellow their bite.
  • Make the dressing in a jar you can shake for easy mixing and storage.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with a roasted chicken or pork tenderloin, making it a perfect side for a cozy dinner. Alternatively, enjoy it as a light main course with some crusty bread on the side. It also complements a cheese board if you're going for a more casual spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead, but keep the dressing separate until just before serving to maintain freshness.
What can I use instead of goat cheese?
Feta cheese is a great alternative if you're not a fan of goat cheese.

Harvest Cranberry Walnut Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by gathering all your salad components. In a large salad bowl, toss in the mixed salad greens. They act as the bed for the rest of your ingredients. Next, sprinkle the dried cranberries and toasted walnuts evenly over the greens. Add the crumbled goat cheese, which will wonderfully contrast with the other textures.

Now, thinly slice your apple and red onion. I usually go for a crisp apple variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji, but feel free to use your favorite. Arrange these slices over the salad, trying to distribute them evenly. Meanwhile, let's whip up the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard until everything is nicely emulsified. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Use a pair of salad tongs or your hands to gently toss everything together, ensuring the dressing coats all elements without crushing the more delicate ones. Serve immediately, and enjoy the vibrant play of flavors and textures.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick to prepare – ready in just 15 minutes.
  • Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
  • Colorful and appealing – a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
  • Versatile enough for lunch, dinner, or a festive side dish.

Ingredients

5 oz mixed salad greens
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 apple, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
For the dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, dried cranberries, walnuts, goat cheese, apple slices, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well blended.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl, tossing gently to combine.
4. Serve immediately as a fresh and colorful side dish.

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