Description
This Apple Arugula Salad combines crisp apples, peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese, sweet figs, crunchy maple pecans, and a homemade balsamic dressing. It comes together in 20 minutes for an easy fall side dish or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 apples, very thinly sliced
- 5 ounces fresh arugula
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped
- 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbles
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, for the pecans
- 1 pinch sea salt, for the pecans
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, for the dressing
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the pecan halves with 2 tablespoons maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt until evenly coated.
- Spread the pecans in a single layer and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, watching closely during the final minutes.
- Remove the pecans from the oven and let them cool completely.
- Whisk the olive oil, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, black pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt in a bowl or sealed jar.
- Taste the dressing and add more sea salt as needed.
- Wash and dry the arugula thoroughly. Thinly slice the apples and red onion, chop the figs, and crumble the goat cheese.
- Place the arugula in a large serving bowl and arrange the apples, red onion, figs, goat cheese, and cooled maple pecans over the greens.
- Drizzle about half of the balsamic dressing over the salad immediately before serving.
- Toss gently, taste, and add more dressing as desired.
Notes
- Nutrition values assume each serving contains approximately one-sixth of the salad and half of the prepared dressing.
- For the best texture, assemble the salad within one hour of serving.
- Slice the apples shortly before serving to keep them crisp and fresh.
- To prepare the apples early, soak them briefly in lightly salted water, then drain and dry them thoroughly.
- Store the greens, dressing, pecans, apples, cheese, figs, and onion separately whenever possible.
- Add grilled chicken, turkey, salmon, chickpeas, white beans, quinoa, or farro to turn the salad into a full meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking and Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 379
- Sugar: 21
- Sodium: 92
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 21
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 9