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Crispy Fall Harvest Salad with Candied Pecans & Goat Cheese

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A quick and easy autumn salad featuring crisp mixed greens, Honeycrisp apples, dried cranberries, and tangy goat cheese, topped with homemade candied pecans and an apple cider vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Large bunch mixed greens (baby spinach and arugula)
  • 1–2 crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady), sliced thinly
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 4–6 oz firm goat cheese (chèvre), crumbled

Instructions

  1. Heat a small non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add butter and melt until foaming.
  2. Add raw pecan halves and stir for 2 minutes to toast lightly.
  3. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the nuts. Stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until sugar melts and coats the pecans in a glaze.
  4. Pour pecans onto parchment paper in a single layer. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and let cool completely until hard.
  5. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and salt until emulsified.
  6. Wash and thoroughly dry mixed greens. Slice apples into thin wedges.
  7. In a large bowl, toss greens with half of the vinaigrette.
  8. Add apple slices and dried cranberries; toss gently.
  9. Transfer dressed greens to a serving platter.
  10. Crumble goat cheese over the top.
  11. Scatter cooled candied pecans generously over the salad.
  12. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the pecans and cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure greens are completely dry to prevent sogginess. Do not dress the salad too far in advance. Candied pecans can be made up to a week ahead and stored in an airtight container. For a vegan version, swap goat cheese for cashew cheese or omit it, and use agave nectar instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: fall salad, candied pecans, goat cheese salad, autumn recipe, healthy salad, quick weeknight dinner, apple cider vinaigrette, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/crispy-fall-harvest-salad-with-candied-pecans-and-goat-cheese/