Description
Sweet and crisp Autumn Apple Salad brings together seasonal flavors with a delightful mix of fresh apples, candied pecans, and tangy goat cheese. Golden autumn leaves inspire this elegant dish that blends crunchy textures and rich flavors you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large Honeycrisp apples, cubed
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
Dressing and Sweeteners:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Nuts and Dried Fruit:
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Protect freshly cubed apples from oxidation by gently drizzling fresh lemon juice over the fruit pieces, ensuring each cube is lightly coated to maintain a crisp, bright appearance.
- Create a creamy, sweet dressing by vigorously whisking mayonnaise and brown sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Introduce chopped celery, halved grapes, roughly chopped pecans, and dried cranberries to the seasoned apples, carefully folding all ingredients to ensure each component is evenly enrobed with the rich, sweet dressing.
- Seal the salad in an airtight container and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify, transforming the individual ingredients into a harmonious culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose crisp, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor in this salad.
- Dice apples into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even coating and easy eating.
- Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
- Toast pecans lightly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch.
- Use fresh, plump cranberries for a burst of tartness that balances the sweet dressing.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light lunch option perfect for autumn gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg