Apple Salad
In the fall, I want all of the apples! Root veggies, squashes, pumpkin! It’s just such a nostalgic time of year for me! The smells, the flavors, the vibes! I got married in the fall; my first baby was born in the fall! It will forever hold the most significant place in my heart! This Apple Salad was so festive and SO flavorful! There was so much going on in this salad! Cherry, white cheddar, pecan, tart apples, carrot, that homemade honey balsamic vinaigrette! When we all sat down to eat this, we just felt so…alive! We talked about the flavor notes in this salad; we enjoyed each small bite! Dissecting all there is to offer here! It was SO bomb and totally exuded those fall flavors!
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So, when did people start putting apples in salad?
Apple salad became popular in the late 19th century after the famous “Waldorf Salad” was first served in 1896 in New York City! The salad had apples, celery, and mayo – which people described as creamy, crisp, and simple! Later on, people started to add walnuts and grapes, and later they’d serve it on bread with lettuce! By the early 20th century, recipes featuring green salads and mixed fruits like apples started appearing in cookbooks! These became extremely popular among American and European cuisine!
Today, apples are considered modern and trendy in a fresh salad with greens! Often times these salads will feature spinach, arugula, and microgreens! And since apples are a fall staple, these salads are especially popular around fall and winter!
Did you know?
There are more than 7,500 apple varieties worldwide! From Pink Lady to Granny Smith – each apple has their own unique flavor, texture, and best use! Apples are extremely diverse! They’re full of fiber and they’re actually made up of 25% air – which is why they’ll float when placed in water! Isn’t that fun?! Apples are actually a part of the rose family! They are botanical cousins to roses, pears, almonds, and cherries! Honestly, what a unique ingredient! I am OBSESSED!
What ingredients do I need for this Apple Salad?
Apple
Carrots
Broccoli
Spring Mix
Dried Cherry
Sharp White Cheddar
Pecans
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette – store-bought or try my recipe!
What equipment do I need?
How do I make it?
The first thing you’ll want to do is wash your produce and start prepping it! Shred the carrots. Cut the broccoli into bite sized pieces and cut the cheese into cubes. Don’t slice the apple until the very end though! If you’re making the Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette from scratch, you’ll want to do that now and refrigerate until ready to use.
Roughly chop the pecans and toast them in a small frying pan for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally so they don’t burn.
Assemble salad as follows: spring mix, broccoli, carrot, white cheddar, dried cherry, sliced apple, and toasted pecans. Drizzle the Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette over the top, toss the salad, and enjoy!
Tips for the Apple Salad:
- The reason why we want to slice the apples at the very end of assembling this salad is because the air will cause the apples to oxidize. They will brown the longer they are exposed to the air, but once you add the vinaigrette – this helps to stop that oxidization!
- Use whatever apple you want in this recipe – however, the tart apples will really make it POP! McIntosh, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady would all be very good choices for this salad!
- Have this as your main course, a tasty side, appetizer, or bring it with you to a holiday potluck!
Love love love a salad? Check out some more of my recipes!
Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 2 – ½ cups Broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 McIntosh Apple thinly sliced
- 5 oz Spring Mix any kind, I used a baby spinach 50/50 combo
- ½ cup Baby Carrots shredded (you can use regular, baby is just easier since it's peeled and ready to go!)
- ½ cup Sharp White Cheddar cut into cubes
- ½ cup Pecans roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup Dried Cherries
- Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette – store-bought or try my recipe!
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a small frying pan on medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently so they don't burn.
- Assemble salad as follows: spring mix, broccoli, carrot, white cheddar, dried cherry, sliced apple, and toasted pecans.
- Drizzle the Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette over the top, toss the salad, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide
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Thos looks so refreshing and crunchy, both things I love in a salad.
Thank you so much for saying that! It was so yummy!