Irresistible Autumn Bliss Salad With Maple Dressing Recipe

Autumn bliss salad represents the vibrant palette of seasonal harvests bursting with color and nutrition.

Crisp leaves and roasted ingredients dance together in a harmonious melody of flavors.

Fresh produce crafts simple ingredients into a culinary celebration of cool-weather abundance.

maple rich sweetness weaves through the dish, creating an enchanting balance between earthy and delicate notes.

Nutritious greens provide a robust foundation for this wholesome creation.

Textural contrasts emerge from carefully selected components that elevate the eating experience.

Warm and comforting yet light and refreshing, this salad promises a delightful journey for your taste buds.

Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing: A Seasonal Favorite

• Savor Seasonal Symphony: This salad captures autumn's essence with perfectly roasted butternut squash, creating a harmonious blend of warm, caramelized vegetables and crisp fresh greens.
• Texture Treasure Trove: Experience a delightful contrast between soft, tender squash, crunchy pecans, creamy goat cheese, and juicy apple slices that dance together in every single bite.
• Quick Gourmet Magic: Prepare this elegant dish in just 30 minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy salad that impresses without complicated cooking techniques or endless prep work.

Ingredients for Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing

• Butternut Squash: Sweet autumn vegetable with rich, nutty flavor that adds warmth and substance to the salad.
• Olive Oil: Helps roast squash evenly and adds a smooth, rich undertone to the vegetable.

• Mixed Greens: Provides crisp, fresh foundation for the autumn-inspired salad.
• Apple: Crisp and sweet fruit that offers bright, tangy contrast to roasted squash.

• Pecans, Toasted: Nutty, crunchy element that adds depth and textural interest to the salad.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that provides rich, smooth counterpoint to other ingredients.
• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart berries that bring classic autumn flavor and vibrant color.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for the dressing that helps blend flavors.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy acidity to balance the sweet maple syrup.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that captures quintessential autumn flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides subtle heat and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the dressing.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and slight heat to the dressing.

How to Make Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Butternut Squash

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Spread on baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized. Let cool slightly.

Step 2: Assemble Salad Base

• Mixed greens
• Cooled roasted butternut squash
• Apple slices
• Toasted pecans
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Dried cranberries

Step 3: Craft Maple Dressing

• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Pepper

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Drizzle maple dressing over salad ingredients. Gently toss to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor combination.

Tip: For extra crunch, you can toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before adding to the salad.

Pro Tips for Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing

• Maximize Squash Flavor: Toss cubes with a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika before roasting to enhance the natural sweetness and add depth to the butternut squash.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Soak apple slices in lemon water for a few minutes before adding to the salad to keep them crisp and prevent discoloration.
• Customize Cheese Options: Swap goat cheese with feta or blue cheese for a different flavor profile that complements the maple dressing.
• Toast Nuts Perfectly: Dry-roast pecans in a skillet for 3-4 minutes to intensify their nutty flavor and create a more complex texture in the salad.
• Dressing Pro Tip: Shake the maple dressing vigorously in a sealed jar to emulsify ingredients completely, ensuring a smooth and well-blended vinaigrette.

Storing and Reheating Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing

• Refrigerate the salad components separately to maintain freshness. Store roasted squash, greens, and dressing in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Keep pecans and cheese separate to prevent sogginess. Chill the maple dressing in a sealed jar. When ready to enjoy, gently reheat the squash in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Reassemble the salad with fresh greens and crisp toppings. Drizzle with reserved dressing just before serving to restore vibrant flavors and textures. Avoid microwaving the entire salad to prevent wilting and preserve the delicate ingredients' quality.

Pairing Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing

• Pair with Warm Cider: Serve a crisp, spiced apple cider alongside the salad to complement the maple and autumn flavors, enhancing the sweet and tangy profile of the dish.
• Match with Hearty Bread: Add a slice of crusty sourdough or whole grain bread to provide a satisfying textural contrast and help soak up the delicious maple dressing.
• Complement with Pinot Noir: Select a light-bodied Pinot Noir wine that echoes the salad's earthy notes, bringing out the roasted squash and nutty pecan undertones while adding a subtle richness.
• Balance with Creamy Dessert: Follow the salad with a light, vanilla-based panna cotta or cheesecake to create a smooth, sweet ending that harmonizes with the maple and goat cheese flavors.

Autumn Bliss Salad with Maple Dressing: Variations to Try

• Harvest Bounty Bowl: Replace butternut squash with roasted sweet potatoes and add quinoa for a heartier grain-based version. Swap goat cheese for crumbled feta and include toasted pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.
• Winter Greens Remix: Substitute mixed greens with kale or Swiss chard for a more robust base. Include pomegranate seeds instead of dried cranberries and add roasted brussels sprouts for additional seasonal depth.
• Mediterranean Fusion Salad: Transform the recipe by using roasted acorn squash and adding kalamata olives. Replace maple dressing with a lemon-herb vinaigrette and incorporate crumbled Mediterranean-style cheese like halloumi.
• Apple Orchard Cleanse: Use raw spiralized apple instead of sliced, include shredded raw beets for color and nutrition. Swap pecans for walnuts and create a lighter apple cider vinaigrette with less maple syrup.

Autumn Bliss Salad With Maple Dressing Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Autumn Bliss Salad celebrates seasonal ingredients with roasted butternut squash, crisp kale, and candied pecans dancing across mixed greens. Maple vinaigrette drizzled over this harvest-inspired dish brings warmth and richness that connects you directly to fall’s delicious bounty.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients:

• 4 cups (950 ml) mixed greens (arugula, spinach, and kale)
• 1 cup (150 g) roasted butternut squash cubes
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (60 g) pecans, toasted
• ¼ cup (30 g) crumbled goat cheese
• ¼ cup (40 g) dried cranberries

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard

Seasoning:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even roasting.
2. Cut butternut squash into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring they will cook evenly and caramelize nicely.
3. Toss squash cubes with olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until completely coated.
4. Spread seasoned squash cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding to promote proper caramelization.
5. Roast squash for 22-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure uniform browning, until edges are golden and cubes are tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Remove roasted squash from oven and let cool for 10 minutes, allowing the pieces to slightly firm up and develop deeper flavors.
7. In a large salad bowl, layer mixed salad greens as the foundational base.
8. Gently arrange cooled roasted squash, crisp apple slices, toasted pecan halves, crumbled goat cheese, and dried cranberries over the greens.
9. For the maple dressing, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and a pinch of black pepper in a small jar.
10. Seal the jar and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to emulsify the dressing and blend flavors completely.
11. Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving, using a light hand to prevent overdressing.
12. Toss salad gently with two large spoons, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated with the maple dressing.
13. Serve immediately to preserve the salad’s crisp textures and vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Roast squash until golden and caramelized for maximum flavor depth and sweetness.
• Toast pecans separately to enhance their nutty aroma and provide a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning and maintain fresh, crisp texture.
• Maple dressing adds a rich, sweet-tangy profile that perfectly complements the autumnal ingredients.
• Serve immediately after dressing to preserve the greens’ crispness and prevent wilting.
• Choose fresh, seasonal butternut squash for the most vibrant and authentic autumn taste experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg