Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries Recipe
This vibrant Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors. Featuring fresh apples, plumped dried cranberries, crunchy candied walnuts, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette, it's a refreshing and elegant salad ideal for a quick lunch or a festive side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 red apple, quartered, seeds removed, finely sliced
- Squeeze of lemon juice (to stop apple browning)
- 120 g (4 oz) mixed salad leaves (4 to 5 big handfuls)
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced (wedge style, not half moon)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp feta or goat cheese, crumbled (optional garnish)
Candied Walnuts
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans
Dressing
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1.5 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Candied Nuts: Place butter in a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add sugar and stir briefly. Leave it undisturbed until the sugar mostly melts and starts to bubble. Add the nuts and stir continuously for 2 minutes to coat them well in the caramelizing sugar. Then pour the candied nuts onto a parchment-lined tray, spread them out evenly, and allow to cool. Once cool, roughly chop half of the nuts, leaving some pieces whole for texture.
- Plump Cranberries: Put the dried cranberries in a bowl and pour freshly boiled water over them. Let them soak for 10 minutes to rehydrate and become plumper, then drain thoroughly.
- Prepare Apple: Drizzle the apple slices with a squeeze of lemon juice and toss gently. This prevents the apples from browning and keeps their fresh appearance.
- Make the Dressing: Combine cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper in a jar. Shake well to emulsify the dressing. Taste and adjust by adding more olive oil for creaminess, sugar for sweetness, or vinegar for tartness according to your preference.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, place the mixed salad leaves, half the apple slices, and all the sliced red onion. Drizzle with half of the dressing and toss gently to combine. Scatter the plumped cranberries, candied walnuts (desired amount), remaining apple slices, and crumbled feta cheese on top. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use lemon juice immediately on apples to prevent browning and maintain a vibrant appearance.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity of the dressing to your taste for a balanced flavor profile.
- For a nut-free version, omit candied walnuts and substitute with roasted seeds or skip altogether.
- Feta or goat cheese is optional; you can omit or replace with vegan cheese for dietary preferences.
- Serve the salad fresh to enjoy the crispness of the apples and salad leaves.