A light, fresh and vivid salad for anyone who enjoys contrast: the sweetness of apples, the creamy tang of goat cheese and the crunch of walnuts under a lively honey-mustard dressing. It comes together in minutes and works beautifully for a quick lunch or a delicate supper.
Ingredients
- Salad mix (arugula, spinach) — 120g (4 1/4 oz)
- Sweet-tart apples — 2
- Soft goat cheese — 120g (4 1/4 oz)
- Walnuts — 50g (1 3/4 oz)
- Dried cranberries — 30g (1 oz)
- Red onion — 1/4
- Extra virgin olive oil — 3 tbsp
- Lemon juice — 1 1/2 tbsp
- Honey — 1 tbsp
- Dijon mustard — 1 tsp
- Salt — 1/4 tsp
- Ground black pepper — 1/4 tsp
Step-by-Step Recipe
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for 3 to 4 minutes, just until fragrant, then let them cool.
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper until emulsified.
- Core the apples and slice them thinly. Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons.
- In a large bowl, combine the salad mix, onion, cranberries and half of the walnuts. Pour over the dressing and toss gently.
- Divide among plates, add the apple slices, crumble the goat cheese over the top, scatter with the remaining walnuts and serve at once.
Nutritional Value per Serving
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | ≈ 380 kcal |
| Protein | ≈ 8.5 g |
| Fat | ≈ 27.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | ≈ 24.5 g |
| Fiber | ≈ 4 g |
| Sugar | ≈ 18 g |
| Sodium | ≈ 350 mg |
📹 Watch the video recipe on our Telegram channel: @alwaysyummy
Tips and Variations
- Choosing apples: go for sweet-tart varieties such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady or Gala for the best balance of flavor.
- Cheese swaps: feta, fresh farmer cheese or soft mozzarella all work well in place of goat cheese. For a bolder finish, try blue cheese.
- Nuts: walnuts can easily be swapped for pecans, almonds or hazelnuts. For extra crunch, briefly toast them in a skillet first.
- Protein boost: add roasted chicken breast, sliced turkey or chickpeas to make the salad more substantial.
- Without sugar: the honey can be replaced with stevia or omitted altogether, with a little extra lemon juice added instead.
- Make-ahead tip: keep the dressing separate and toss it with the greens just before serving so the leaves stay crisp.
FAQ
What can I use instead of goat cheese in this salad?
Try feta, fresh farmer cheese or soft mozzarella. For a stronger, more assertive flavor, blue cheese such as gorgonzola is an excellent choice.
Can I prepare the salad in advance?
Make the dressing and toast the nuts ahead of time, but combine the greens and apples just before serving. To keep the apples from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice.
Which apples are best?
Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples such as Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape well and add a clean, refreshing acidity.