Description
A cozy autumn salad of crisp apples, juicy pears, tart craisins, salty pecans, and creamy blue cheese tossed with a bright honey-mustard lime dressing.
Ingredients
6 cups mixed greens (spring mix or baby spinach; add arugula for peppery bite)
1 medium apple, diced (Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp)
1 medium pear, diced
1/3 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled (or feta/goat cheese)
1/2 cup salted pecans, roughly chopped (toasted if desired)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Make the dressing: In a jar, combine olive oil, lime juice, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Seal and shake until emulsified.
2. Prep produce: Dice the apple and pear (skins on for color and fiber). Rinse and dry the mixed greens thoroughly.
3. Assemble: In a large bowl add greens, then scatter apple, pear, craisins, crumbled blue cheese, and salted pecans.
4. Dress: Drizzle on some of the honey-mustard dressing and toss gently so each bite has fruit, cheese, nuts, and greens.
5. Serve: Taste and add more dressing if needed. Serve immediately for the best crunch.
Notes
To prevent browning, toss diced apple and pear with a little lemon or lime juice.
Nut-free? Swap pecans for roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas).
Not into blue cheese? Use feta or goat cheese.
Great with roasted chicken, turkey, or alongside fall mains. Leftovers keep (undressed) up to 1 day; store dressing separately.