Description
Crisp arugula dances with sweet apples and crunchy maple-glazed pecans in this fresh salad celebration. Balanced flavors and textures invite you to savor a delightful medley of seasonal ingredients that sing with elegant simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 3 apples (thinly sliced)
- 5 ounces (141.75 grams) arugula
- 0.5 cup chopped figs
- 0.5 cup goat cheese crumbles
- 0.25 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
Maple Pecans:
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 pinch sea salt
Dressing Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25–0.5 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare maple pecans by combining them with maple syrup and sea salt, ensuring even coating.
- Spread pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant.
- Allow pecans to cool completely, developing a crisp texture and caramelized flavor.
- Create vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, black pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and sea salt until smooth and well-blended.
- Taste dressing and adjust seasoning to achieve balanced tanginess and sweetness.
- Layer fresh arugula in a large salad bowl as the green base.
- Artfully arrange sliced apples, chopped figs, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled goat cheese over the arugula.
- Sprinkle cooled maple pecans across the salad for added crunch and nutty sweetness.
- Drizzle approximately half the prepared vinaigrette over the salad, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
- Serve immediately with remaining dressing on the side, allowing guests to customize their salad’s flavor intensity.
Notes
- Toast pecans carefully to prevent burning, watching them closely during the 5-7 minute baking time.
- Make maple pecans ahead of time and store in an airtight container to save preparation time.
- Swap goat cheese with plant-based alternatives like cashew cheese for a vegan version of the salad.
- Slice apples just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and prevent browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg