Cranberry Walnut Salad

$- 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, and baby kale) - 1 cup dried cranberries - 1 cup walnut halves, lightly toasted - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup diced apple (Gala or Fuji) - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon honey - Salt and pepper to taste When making cranberry walnut salad, fresh ingredients matter. Start with four cups of mixed salad greens. I love combining arugula, spinach, and baby kale. Each green brings a crisp flavor. Next, add a cup of dried cranberries. They give a sweet burst in every bite. Then, use a cup of walnut halves. Lightly toast them for richer taste and crunch. For creaminess, crumbled feta cheese works wonders. Half a cup adds a salty flavor. Thinly slice a quarter cup of red onion for a nice kick. Lastly, include half a cup of diced apple. Gala or Fuji apples are best for their sweetness. The dressing is simple but tasty. Pour a quarter cup of extra virgin olive oil into a bowl. Mix in two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey. Add salt and pepper to taste. This combination of ingredients creates a balanced salad. It has sweetness, crunch, and creaminess. You can find the full recipe above. Enjoy your cooking! - Combine 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. - Add salt and pepper to your taste. - Whisk until smooth and set aside. - Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. - Add 1 cup walnut halves. - Toast for about 5 minutes, stirring often. - Place 4 cups mixed greens in a large bowl. - Gently fold in 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup toasted walnuts, 1/2 cup crumbled feta, 1/4 cup sliced red onion, and 1/2 cup diced apple. - Drizzle your dressing over the salad. - Toss gently to coat all ingredients. - Serve immediately in individual bowls. This simple process creates a fresh and vibrant dish. Enjoy it as a side or a light main meal. For the complete recipe, check the Full Recipe section. To make your cranberry walnut salad great, always toast your walnuts. Toasting brings out their rich flavor and crunch. You can do this easily in a dry skillet over medium heat for about five minutes. Stir them often until they smell nice. Also, remember to adjust the sweetness with honey. Start small and taste as you go. You want the flavors to blend well. For a stunning presentation, serve your salad in clear glass bowls. This way, the colors pop, and guests can see all the tasty ingredients. To make it look even better, add extra crumbled feta and whole walnuts on top. This adds both flavor and style, making your dish feel gourmet. Watch out for overdressing your salad. Too much dressing can make it soggy. Aim for a light coating to keep the greens crisp. Another mistake is not cooling your toasted walnuts before adding them to the salad. Hot walnuts can wilt the greens, so let them cool first for the best texture. {{image_4}} You can change the nuts in the salad. Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds. Both nuts add a nice crunch. You can also add fruits. Try pears or citrus for extra flavor. These changes make the salad even more tasty. Get creative and use what you love! Want a vegan option? Just skip the cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey. This keeps the salad sweet and plant-based. If you need gluten-free options, check your dressing. Many brands offer gluten-free choices. You can enjoy this salad while meeting your diet needs. To keep your salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This way, it stays crisp and tasty. Aim to eat it within 1-2 days for the best flavor. The longer it sits, the less fresh it will taste. You can prepare parts of this salad in advance. Make the salad dressing ahead of time and store it separately. This helps keep the greens fresh and crunchy. You can also assemble the salad ingredients up to a day prior. Just wait to add the dressing until you're ready to serve. This will keep everything looking great and tasting fresh. Yes, but store the dressing separately to keep greens fresh. This step is key. If you mix the dressing in too early, your greens can wilt. Keep them crisp by waiting until just before serving. Goat cheese or nutritional yeast are excellent alternatives. Goat cheese adds a creamy texture and tangy taste. Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor for a vegan option. Both choices blend well with the other salad ingredients. Consider adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu for a protein boost. Grilled chicken adds a savory depth. Chickpeas provide a nice crunch and are great for plant-based diets. Tofu is a versatile choice that absorbs flavors well. This blog post has shown you how to make a delicious Cranberry Walnut Salad. You learned about all the key ingredients, from fresh greens to tasty dressing. Toasting the walnuts adds a nice touch. Remember to avoid common mistakes, like overdressing your salad. You can also play with the recipe by using different nuts or fruits. With these tips, you can enjoy a healthy meal any day. It's all about fresh, vibrant flavors coming together. Happy salad making!$

Elevate your meal with the refreshing Cranberry Bliss & Walnut Delight salad! Packed with mixed greens, sweet cranberries, toasted walnuts, and tangy feta, this salad is a delicious blend of flavors and textures. Drizzled with a homemade dressing, it's perfect for any occasion. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s an easy way to impress your guests. Click to explore this delightful recipe and bring joy to your table!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

4 cups mixed salad greens (a blend of arugula, spinach, and baby kale)

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup walnut halves, lightly toasted

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup apple, diced (choose a sweeter variety like Gala or Fuji)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Set this flavorful dressing aside to let the flavors meld together.

Toast the Walnuts: Take a dry skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the walnut halves and toast them for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they are aromatic and slightly darker in color. Once toasted, remove the skillet from the heat and allow the walnuts to cool.

Mix the Greens: In a large salad bowl, gently place the mixed greens. Toss them lightly to ensure an even distribution, allowing the varied textures and flavors to intermingle beautifully.

Add Salad Ingredients: Carefully fold in the dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, crumbled feta cheese, thinly sliced red onion, and diced apple into the bowl. Ensure all ingredients are distributed evenly throughout the salad.

Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, then use gentle motions to toss the mixture. Aim for a light coating on all ingredients without bruising the greens, preserving their fresh texture.

Taste and Adjust: Take a moment to taste the salad and adjust seasoning to your liking. If desired, sprinkle in additional salt, pepper, or honey to enhance flavor balance.

Serve Immediately: Plate the salad in individual serving dishes or bowls to facilitate immediate enjoyment, bringing the vibrant dish to your guests.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

- Presentation Tips: For an appealing visual display, serve the salad in clear glass bowls to highlight the vibrant colors of the ingredients. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of extra crumbled feta cheese and a few whole toasted walnuts for an extra touch of elegance.