Description
A fresh and vibrant Autumn Apple Salad with creamy feta, savory prosciutto, toasted nuts, and a tangy apple cider vinaigrette, perfect for celebrating the flavors of fall in a light, nutritious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, kale)
- 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
- 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly. Core the apples and slice them into thin wedges. To prevent browning, toss the apple slices lightly in lemon juice if desired.
- Toast the Nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts or pecans and toast for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they become golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well emulsified and smooth.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, apple slices, crumbled feta, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, and slices of prosciutto, mixing gently.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated without bruising the greens.
Notes
- Use lemon juice on apple slices to avoid discoloration if preparing ahead of time.
- For a vegetarian version, omit prosciutto or substitute with smoked tofu.
- Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning which can impart bitterness.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing to taste, especially if the feta and prosciutto are already salty.
- Serve immediately after dressing for the freshest texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook with toasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Autumn salad, apple salad, feta cheese salad, prosciutto salad, fall recipe, healthy salad, seasonal salad
