Light and Refreshing Apple Blue Cheese Salad with Walnuts
Servings: 2 Salads
Calories: 563kcal
This apple salad is simple yet so refreshing! The apples combined with the blue cheese and toasted, crumbled, walnuts just bring out an incredible flavor!
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Equipment
- 1 mandoline
Ingredients
- 1 large honeycrisp or other firm Apple
- 3 ounces of blue cheese
- ¼ cup of toasted walnuts
- ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
- 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of sugar or pure maple syrup optional see notes
Instructions
- Using a mandolin or a sharp knife, core apple and slice as thin as possible.
- Crush walnuts to a small crumble.
- Combine sea salt, vinegar, olive oil, and syrup or sugar.
- For one salad, layer half of the apples and add about 3-4 tablespoons of vinaigrette. Sprinkle on half the blue cheese and walnuts.
Notes
Adding the sugar or pure maple syrup to the vinaigrette is up to you. It just depends how tart you would like the vinaigrette.
What types of apples work best for this salad? For the best texture, use firm, crunchy apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith. A sweet honeycrisp provides a great contrast to the tart vinaigrette.
How do I prevent the sliced apples from browning in the salad? After slicing the apples, immediately drizzle them with the apple cider vinaigrette. The vinegar's acidity helps prevent oxidation and keeps the apples fresh.
Can I use different nuts instead of walnuts in this recipe? While toasted walnuts add a great flavor and crunch, you could experiment with other toasted nuts like pecans or even candied nuts for a different twist.
Can I make the apple cider vinaigrette ahead of time? Yes, the vinaigrette is perfect for making ahead! You can prepare it and store it in a mason jar in the fridge, ready to shake and drizzle when needed.
Is it necessary to roast the walnuts for this salad? Roasting the walnuts is recommended as it enhances their rich flavor and adds to the salad's texture. However, if you're short on time, you can use raw walnuts, though the flavor may be milder.
What main dishes pair well with this apple blue cheese salad? This light and refreshing salad is an excellent accompaniment to savory main dishes, pairing particularly well with roasted meats like slow-roasted pork shoulder.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 salads | Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 310mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 1mg