Description
Crisp green apples dance with creamy goat cheese in this irresistible Apple Salad, creating a symphony of flavors that tickle your palate. Crunchy walnuts and tangy dressing elevate this simple dish, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits:
- 3–4 large apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
Crunch & Nuts:
- 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
Dressing & Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, delicately combine crisp apple chunks, finely diced celery, crunchy nuts, and vibrant dried cranberries, ensuring a gentle and even distribution of ingredients.
- Craft a luxurious dressing by whisking Greek yogurt with golden honey and zesty lemon juice until the mixture transforms into a silky, harmonious blend. Taste and subtly season with a pinch of salt if desired.
- Lavishly drizzle the creamy dressing over the apple mixture, meticulously coating each morsel. The citrus component will naturally prevent rapid oxidation of the apples.
- For optimal flavor development, allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 60 minutes. This resting period enables the ingredients to intermingle and enhance their collective taste profile.
- Before presenting, give the salad a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Optionally, garnish with delicate fresh mint leaves to elevate the visual and aromatic appeal.
- This refreshing salad reaches its peak deliciousness when served chilled, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors that tantalize the palate.
- Total preparation time hovers around 15 minutes, with an additional optional chilling interval of one hour, yielding a versatile dish suitable for 4-6 individuals.
Notes
- Customize the salad by swapping Greek yogurt with vegan alternatives like coconut yogurt for a dairy-free version.
- Prevent apple browning by tossing chopped apples immediately in lemon juice to maintain crisp, fresh appearance.
- Enhance texture by toasting nuts before adding to the salad, which brings out deeper, richer nutty flavors.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to two days, keeping dressing separate until just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 225 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg