The Perfect Apple and Fig Arugula Salad Recipe for Summer Meals

Tantalizing apple and fig arugula salads offer a vibrant culinary experience that elevates ordinary ingredients into extraordinary flavor combinations.

Crisp leafy greens provide a peppery backdrop for sweet, succulent fruits that dance across your palate with remarkable intensity.

Seasonal ingredients merge in this delightful recipe, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that elevate simple salad expectations.

Nutritional powerhouses like arugula bring robust character to the dish, complementing the subtle sweetness of ripe fruits.

Delicate balance emerges from carefully selected components that sing together in perfect gastronomic harmony.

Each forkful promises a symphony of fresh, bright flavors that awaken your senses and challenge traditional salad perceptions.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe invites you to reimagine what a salad can truly be.

Top Tips for Apple and Fig Arugula

• Toast Pecans Perfectly: Watch carefully during baking to prevent burning, as maple syrup can caramelize quickly and turn bitter if overcooked.
• Slice Apples Strategically: Use a sharp knife to cut apples thinly and uniformly, preventing browning by tossing immediately with a splash of lemon juice.
• Balance Dressing Ingredients: Taste and adjust the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar ratio to create a harmonious sweet-tangy flavor that complements the peppery arugula.
• Serve Immediately: Toss the salad just before serving to maintain the crispness of arugula and prevent wilting from excess dressing.
• Layer Ingredients Carefully: Add cheese and nuts last to preserve their texture and prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the salad bowl.

Storing and Reheating Apple and Fig Arugula

• Refrigeration: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separately to prevent the arugula from becoming soggy.
• Reheating: This salad is best enjoyed fresh and cold. Gently toss the ingredients before serving to redistribute the flavors and revive the arugula's crispness. Drizzle additional dressing if needed to refresh the taste.
• Ingredient Preservation: Store maple pecans in a sealed container at room temperature for up to a week. Separate the goat cheese, apple slices, and figs to maintain their individual textures and prevent premature wilting.

Pairing Apple and Fig Arugula with Cheese

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio perfectly complements the tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula, cutting through the sweet maple and fruity notes.
• Match with Sparkling Elderflower Drink: A light, floral elderflower spritzer brings out the delicate flavors of figs and apples while providing a refreshing contrast to the rich pecans and creamy cheese.
• Serve alongside Roasted Chicken: A simply prepared herb-roasted chicken breast creates a balanced main course that doesn't overpower the salad's delicate flavor profile, allowing the ingredients to shine.
• Complement with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Warm, rustic sourdough slices provide a perfect textural contrast and help soak up the delicious maple-balsamic dressing, making the meal more satisfying and complete.

Apple and Fig Arugula: Variations to Explore

• Pear and Walnut Refresher: Swap apples with ripe pears and replace pecans with toasted walnuts for a different nutty profile. The creamy goat cheese remains a perfect complement to the sweet, soft pears.
• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Introduce fresh herbs like chopped mint and parsley to the arugula base. Replace maple syrup with honey and add a sprinkle of sumac for a Middle Eastern-inspired flavor twist.
• Autumn Harvest Mix: Include roasted butternut squash cubes and dried cranberries for a heartier seasonal version. Switch goat cheese with blue cheese to enhance the robust fall flavors and add depth to the salad.

Apple and Fig Arugula: A Sweet and Savory Treat

• Elevate Flavor Complexity: This salad brilliantly combines sweet maple-roasted pecans, peppery arugula, tangy goat cheese, and juicy fruits, creating a sophisticated flavor profile that dances across your palate.
• Quick and Elegant Preparation: The recipe takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, offering a gourmet experience without requiring advanced culinary skills or complicated techniques.
• Nutritional Powerhouse Salad: Packed with fresh ingredients like arugula, apples, and figs, this dish delivers a perfect balance of crisp textures, healthy nutrients, and vibrant colors that make every bite exciting and wholesome.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Perfect for summer lunches, autumn gatherings, or as a light dinner starter, this salad adapts effortlessly to different occasions and can be easily customized to personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Apple and Fig Arugula

• Arugula: Peppery base green with fresh, crisp texture that provides a bold foundation for the salad.
• Apples: Crisp and sweet fruit that adds crunch and bright flavor to the salad, preferably use firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.
• Figs: Sweet and soft fruit that brings rich, deep flavor and tender texture to the dish, fresh or dried options work well.

• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds richness and soft contrast to the salad, choose fresh and crumbly variety.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts with buttery flavor, toasted with maple syrup for added sweetness and depth.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for dressing that helps blend flavors and provide silky texture.
• Maple Syrup: Sweet natural sweetener that adds depth and caramel-like notes to both pecans and dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic component that balances the dressing and adds freshness.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that helps emulsify the dressing and provides complex flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, slightly sweet vinegar that adds depth and complexity to the dressing.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings pungent flavor to the dressing.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness in the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and rounds out the dressing's flavor profile.

How to Make Apple and Fig Arugula

Step 1: Roast Maple Pecans

• Pecan halves
• Maple syrup
• Pinch of sea salt

Spread pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes until toasted and slightly darkened. Remove and let cool.

Step 2: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Maple syrup
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic
• Balsamic vinegar
• Black pepper
• Sea salt

Whisk ingredients until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Step 3: Craft the Salad

• Fresh arugula as base
• Thinly sliced apples
• Chopped figs
• Crumbled goat cheese

Just before serving, drizzle half the dressing (or more to taste) and gently toss to mix. Top with cooled maple pecans.

Apple And Fig Arugula Delight Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired Apple and Fig Arugula Delight combines sweet figs with crisp apples and peppery arugula for a refreshing salad experience. Sophisticated ingredients dance together, creating a light yet luxurious dish perfect for discerning palates who crave balanced flavor combinations.

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Ingredients

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Fruits and Vegetables:

• 3 apples, sliced very thin
• 5 ounces (141 grams) arugula
• ¼ cup red onion, sliced thin
• ½ cup figs, chopped

Dairy and Nuts:

• ½ cup goat cheese crumbles
• 1 cup pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¼–½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (additional for dressing)
• 1 pinch sea salt

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Instructions

1. Craft the maple-glazed pecans by heating the oven to 350°F (177°C). Coat pecan halves with maple syrup and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt in a mixing vessel.
2. Distribute pecans uniformly across a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring even toasting. Roast for 5-7 minutes until they develop a rich, golden-brown hue and aromatic essence.
3. Remove pecans from the oven and allow them to cool and crisp, creating a crunchy textural element for the salad.
4. Create the vibrant dressing by combining olive oil, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, freshly ground black pepper, and sea salt in a small mixing bowl.
5. Whisk the dressing ingredients thoroughly, tasting and adjusting seasonings to achieve a harmonious flavor profile that balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes.
6. Select a large salad bowl and generously layer fresh, peppery arugula as the foundational green.
7. Artfully arrange thinly sliced crisp apples and chopped succulent figs across the arugula bed.
8. Sprinkle crumbled creamy goat cheese over the fruit layers, adding a rich and tangy dimension.
9. Immediately before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, using approximately half the quantity or adjusting to personal taste preference.
10. Gently toss the salad to ensure even coating and distribution of dressing, maple pecans, and ingredients.
11. Garnish with additional toasted maple pecans for extra crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Maple pecans add a sweet, crunchy texture that elevates the entire salad experience with minimal effort.
• Homemade dressing brings fresh, tangy flavors that perfectly complement the natural sweetness of apples and figs.
• Goat cheese provides a creamy, rich contrast to the crisp arugula and juicy fruit slices.
• Toasting pecans intensifies their nutty flavor and creates a delightful aromatic element to the dish.
• Use fresh, ripe figs and crisp apples for the most vibrant and refreshing salad presentation.
• Serve immediately after dressing to maintain the arugula’s crispness and prevent wilting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg