Mixed Greens and Apple Bowl (Printable)

Crisp apples, mixed greens, walnuts, and cheese in a tangy cider vinaigrette.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
02 - 2 medium apples (Gala or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
03 - 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
04 - 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
05 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
06 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries

→ Cider Vinaigrette

07 - 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, apple slices, walnuts, cheese, red onion, and dried cranberries.
03 - Drizzle vinaigrette over salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine and coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Transfer to serving plates and serve immediately while greens remain crisp.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes with zero cooking, so even a chaotic weeknight becomes salvageable.
  • The sweet-tart dressing actually tastes homemade because it is, and your taste buds will know the difference.
  • Walnuts stay crispy and apples stay bright because you build it right before eating, not hours ahead.
02 -
  • Slice your apples right before assembly or toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice—oxidation turns them brown and sad looking, even if the taste stays fine.
  • Toast your walnuts if you have five minutes; it's the difference between nice and 'wow, what makes this taste so good?'
03 -
  • Make the dressing hours ahead and keep it in the fridge; it actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld.
  • Prep your ingredients separately and assemble just before eating, which takes five minutes but guarantees crispy walnuts and fresh apples instead of soggy salad regret.
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