Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Harvest Salad with Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette


After a particularly glutinous weekend, Sunday night I decided my parents and I needed something healthy to eat so we whipped up this Harvest Salad.  It was filled with so many tasty ingredients, it will be a salad I recreate many times again.  I loved the addition of dried apricots to the salad it is something I never think to use or eat.  I usually use my old standby dried cranberries but the apricots were so good and I found out Sterling loves them too- I think he thought they were fruit chews but he gobbled them up.  Next time I make this I may alter the dressing a bit and add a bit of Cayenne Pepper just to give it some extra heat and spice but the cinnamon was really nice in the dressing.  This would be an excellent main meal with some grilled chicken on top of it.  It presents beautifully too, so remember it next time you are entertaining and need a salad recipe! 


:: H A R V E S T  S A L A D  W I T H   A P P L E  C I D E R  V I N I A G R E T T E ::
adapted via 

1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper
8 cups salad greens, such as arugula, red leaf lettuce or Romaine lettuce
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/2 cup pistachio nuts

Cover apple slices with cold water. Add lemon juice. Let stand until ready to serve.

Mix vinegar, honey and roasted cinnamon in small bowl with wire whisk. Gradually add oil, whisking until well blended.  Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

To serve, divide greens among 8 plates. Top each with drained apple slices, apricots, blue cheese and pistachio nuts. Serve with dressing.

 

18 comments:

Val said...

You had me at Apple Cider Vinaigrette!!!

Lindsay, XO Lindsay said...

That looks amazing. I need you to come whip up a few healthy dinner at my house!

Sadie + Stella said...

This looks amazing!!

Amanda | Kids and Cabernet said...

Looks SO good. I love s good, hearty salad. I'm definitely going to try it.

Thanks :) and thanks again for the email too!

caycee said...

I don't even like a salad, but this one has me drooling!

Julia Ryan said...

looks delicious! One of my favorites! I love making apple cider vinaigrette. So fresh and yum! I swear the apples help you to feel full too!

megan said...

Looks and sounds amazing! Definitely want to try soon.

Gaby [The Vault Files] said...

This looks so good!

Nickie said...

This sounds so fresh and light and yummy. Can't wait to try.

High Cotton Style said...

Yummy! Will definitely be making asap...maybe with some butternut squash soup!

Kitty and June said...

The apricots sound amazing! I love a fresh dressing-will have to try this!

Kitty and June said...

The apricots sound amazing! I love a fresh dressing-will have to try this!

Danielle said...

That's my kind of salad! I'd love to have it for lunch today!

Arielle said...

this looks so yummy!!! :)

Unknown said...

my dad loves apple cider vinegar and I know he would love this salad - thanks so much for sharing!

XO, Stefanie
Life on the Squares

Leslie said...

I pinned it! I'll definitely be giving this a try!

Portuguese Prepster said...

looks delish and healthy!

Anonymous said...

OK first off this looks delicious. Second, I just started drinking this juice that is supposed to get rid of belly fat that has grapefruit juice and apple cider vinegar in it and I almost died last night trying to swallow it. I'm sure this vinaigrette is tastier, but I thought I'd share my fascinating story. haah xoxo