APPLE PECAN AND BACON SALAD WITH MAPLE VINAIGRETTE DRESSING 🥗🍏🥓
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, and kale)
- 1 large apple (Gala or Fuji), thinly sliced
- 1 cup pecans, toasted
- 6 slices of crispy bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Begin by preparing the ingredients. Gather all your fresh mixed greens and rinse them under cold water. Use a salad spinner to dry them thoroughly – this will prevent the dressing from diluting.
- Next, slice the apple into thin wedges. It’s up to you if you want to leave the skin on or peel it, but the skin adds a lovely color and texture. Set these aside.
- For the pecans, if you have raw ones, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they’re fragrant. This enhances their flavor and gives them a lovely crunch.
- Now, for the bacon! Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy; this usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess fat, then chop them into small pieces.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, apple slices, toasted pecans, chopped bacon, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion. Toss these ingredients gently together to distribute them evenly.
- To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. It should have a sweet and tangy profile that perfectly complements the salad’s ingredients.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
- Serve immediately as a delightful side dish or a light main course, enjoying the harmony of flavors and textures.
Additional Information:
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
Nutritional Information:
Approximately 300 calories per serving.