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Looking for a simple fall salad with a gourmet edge? Try this apple harvest salad. It features one of my favorite fall ingredient combinations – apples, cheddar, and bacon. These ingredients are mixed together with some of my favorite greens and tossed in a creamy dressing made with apple cider. It’s topped with herbs and chopped walnuts for an extra crunch. I usually serve this as a side but you can easily make it an entree by adding sliced chicken breast.
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Salad Notes
I use a base of watercress, a somewhat peppery bitter green, and sunflower sprouts (available at Whole Foods) for this salad. I love the combination of watercress and sprouts but I think a lot of different greens would work well in this salad including spinach or spring mix.
For the cheddar, make sure you use a good quality cheese – it makes a difference. Don’t use the bagged pre-shredded kind. Make sure to use good apples too – I think honey crisp are best but pink lady apples also work.
Apple Harvest Salad
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Salad
- ½ lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 bunch watercress
- 1 bunch micro greens (approx 4 oz), I use sunflower and radish greens from whole foods
- 1 large honey crisp apple, cut into thin slices (or matchsticks if preferred)
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar, shredded
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup chopped green onion or chives, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp apple cider
- 1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp creme fraiche
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
Make the Dressing
- Combined shallot vinegar and cider in small bowl (I usually use my 2 cup glass Pyrex measuring cup).
- Blend together using hand held immersion blender
- Stir in creme fraiche, salt, and pepper.
- Slowly pour the olive oil into the mixture whisking constantly until combined.
Assemble the Salad
- Combine the greens, apples, bacon, green onions and cheese in a large salad bowl. Toss with the dressing.
- Top with walnuts and serve immediately.
