Description
Celebrate the crisp arrival of autumn with this vibrant, harvest-inspired salad. Featuring a delightful medley of crunchy orchard apples, sweet pears, chewy cranberries, and savory salted pecans, this dish is elevated by a zesty, homemade honey-lime dressing. It is the perfect balance of fresh greens, creamy blue cheese, and seasonal toppings, making it an ideal side for holiday gatherings or a reliable, sophisticated choice for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
6 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
1 firm apple (Fuji, Gala, or Jonathan), diced
1 ripe pear, diced
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup salted pecans, lightly toasted
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, and honey until emulsified and smooth.
In a large serving bowl, combine the mixed greens.
Add the diced apples, diced pears, and dried cranberries to the greens.
Top the salad with the crumbled blue cheese and the toasted salted pecans.
Drizzle the prepared honey mustard dressing over the salad just before serving.
Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
Always toast your pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant to unlock their full flavor. You can substitute the blue cheese with goat cheese if you prefer a milder tang. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate and add it right before serving to keep the greens crisp.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 3
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 245mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg