Refreshing Apple Swiss Cheese Salad with Cashews

Apple Swiss salad from Cleveland cooking. green leaf salad with shredded Swiss, cashews, and granny Smith apples. a jar of the dressing in the background along with pieces of apples and cashews. receipt by Cleveland cooking

Refreshing Apple Swiss Cheese Salad with Cashews

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: apple, apple cider vinegar, swiss cheese

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 25

Servings: servings

Calories: 393kcal

Author: clevelandcooking

An easy, refreshing fall salad that blends crisp Granny Smith apples, rich Swiss cheese, and crunchy cashews with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette

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Ingredients

Dressing

1/2 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of sugar
¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon of dry mustard
½ teaspoon of onion powder

Salad

2 heads of romaine lettuce cored and chopped
2 granny smith apples sliced then halve the slices
4 ounces of chopped cashews
4 ounces of grated swiss cheese

Instructions

Combine dressing ingredients and whisk thoroughly.
Layer lettuce, apples, cashes, and cheese on serving plates.
Add dressing to salad.

Notes

What types of apples work best for this Apple Swiss Salad? For the best texture and flavor, use firm, crunchy apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith. A sweet honeycrisp offers a great contrast to the tart dressing.

How do I prevent the sliced apples from browning in the salad? To keep the apples fresh and bright, drizzle them immediately with the prepared apple cider vinaigrette after slicing. The vinegar's acidity helps prevent oxidation.

Can I substitute the cashews with a different type of nut? Yes, absolutely! While cashews add wonderful richness, you can easily substitute them with other nuts like pecans or almonds to make the recipe your own.

Why do you recommend using pure maple syrup instead of sugar in the dressing? Pure maple syrup is preferred because it has a lower glycemic index than granulated sugar and dissolves much more smoothly in the dressing, preventing a gritty texture.

What kind of Swiss cheese should I use for this salad? For the best texture and ease of grating, it's recommended to buy Swiss cheese in a block and grate it yourself, as pre-shredded cheeses often contain additives that prevent clumping.

Can I make the apple cider vinaigrette ahead of time? Yes, the dressing is very simple to make and can be prepared in advance. Store it in a sealed container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator, and shake well before serving.

Nutrition