Favorite Green Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Pepitas
Nutritional Info
- Servings Per Recipe: 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 225.8
- Total Fat: 18.0 g
- Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
- Sodium: 69.6 mg
- Total Carbs: 15.8 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 3.4 g
View full nutritional breakdown of Favorite Green Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Pepitas calories by ingredient
Introduction
My favorite fresh salad featuring healthy greens, sliced apple, toasted pepitas, dried cranberries and crumbled goat cheese. Toss with my simple apple cider vinaigrette (recipe below) or take a shortcut and use store-bought balsamic dressing instead. Buy organic greens and apple to avoid pesticides. My favorite fresh salad featuring healthy greens, sliced apple, toasted pepitas, dried cranberries and crumbled goat cheese. Toss with my simple apple cider vinaigrette (recipe below) or take a shortcut and use store-bought balsamic dressing instead. Buy organic greens and apple to avoid pesticides.Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients
-
Green salad
•2½ ounces (about 5 cups) pre-washed spring greens salad blend
•1 large Granny Smith apple
•⅓ cup dried cranberries
•¼ cup pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
•2 ounces chilled goat cheese, crumbled (or about ⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese)***
Apple cider vinaigrette
•¼ cup olive oil
•1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
•1½ teaspoons honey***
•1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tips
Make it vegan: Substitute maple syrup for the honey and omit the cheese.
Storage suggestions: Spring greens wilt quickly once they've been tossed with dressing, so store dressing separately from the greens. Apples oxidize quickly once they're cut open, so I chop them just before serving the salad. For a salad with more longevity, swap chopped kale for the spring greens (like this). Bonus? The dressing will keep the chopped apples looking fresh.
*** When calculating this recipe, I made it vegan and did not use maple syrup or salt. If tracking this on your tracker, you will need to add the cheese, honey (or maple syrup) and salt, if using.
Directions
1.Toast the pepitas: In a medium-sized skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are turning golden on the edges and making little popping noises. Transfer the pepitas to a small bowl to cool.
2.Make the dressing: In a cup or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey and mustard until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
3.Just before serving, chop the apple into thin, bite-sized pieces. Place your greens in a large serving bowl. Top with sliced apple, dried cranberries and toasted pepitas. Use a fork to crumble the goat cheese over the salad. Drizzle the salad with just enough dressing to lightly coat the leaves once tossed (you probably won't need all of it). Gently toss to mix all of the ingredients and serve!
Serving Size: Recipe yields 2 full-sized salads or 4 side salads
2.Make the dressing: In a cup or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey and mustard until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
3.Just before serving, chop the apple into thin, bite-sized pieces. Place your greens in a large serving bowl. Top with sliced apple, dried cranberries and toasted pepitas. Use a fork to crumble the goat cheese over the salad. Drizzle the salad with just enough dressing to lightly coat the leaves once tossed (you probably won't need all of it). Gently toss to mix all of the ingredients and serve!
Serving Size: Recipe yields 2 full-sized salads or 4 side salads