Description
Refreshing apple salad brings Mediterranean flavors to your table with crisp ingredients and zesty dressing. Tangy notes and fresh herbs combine for a delightful experience you’ll savor alongside grilled meats or as a light lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 honeycrisp apples, cubed
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) pecans, chopped
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup (79 ml / 2.7 fl oz) mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsps (22 ml / 0.7 fl oz) brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Citrus Protection: Toss apple cubes with lemon juice to prevent browning and enhance flavor complexity, ensuring apples maintain their pristine appearance and crisp texture.
- Dressing Fusion: Whisk mayonnaise and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth, creating a creamy, subtly sweet foundation that will unite all salad components.
- Component Integration: Combine prepared apples with celery, grapes, pecans, and dried cranberries, gently folding ingredients to ensure each element is evenly coated with the luxurious dressing.
- Flavor Development: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a harmonious taste profile, melding the diverse textures and flavors into a cohesive blend.
- Final Presentation: Stir the salad just before serving to redistribute the dressing, presenting a vibrant, refreshing dish that balances sweet, tangy, and nutty elements with an elegant, sophisticated appeal.
Notes
- Prevent Apple Browning: Lemon juice acts as a natural preservative, stopping apples from turning brown and maintaining their fresh, crisp appearance.
- Dressing Consistency Matters: Whisk mayonnaise and brown sugar thoroughly to create a smooth, even coating that evenly embraces all ingredients.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerating the salad for at least 30 minutes allows ingredients to meld, intensifying the overall taste and texture.
- Serving Tip: Stir just before serving to redistribute dressing and ensure each bite is equally flavorful and well-coated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 187
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg