Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad
This Apple Pomegranate Crisp Winter Salad is so easy to make yet so flavorful. Made with fresh juicy apples and pomegranate arils, crunchy walnuts and pumpkin seeds, and crumbly goat cheese. All tossed in a tangy and sweet balsamic-maple dressing.
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 2-3 red apples
- 1.5 cups pomegranate arils
- 1 cup raw walnut pieces
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 6 oz goat cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp pink sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
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In a large salad bowl or platter, spread out mixed greens. Core and thinly slice apples. Layer apple slices over greens on one side. Layer pomegranate arils or seeds next to apple slices.
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Continue layering the rest of the ingredients over greens and next to each other. Continue with walnut pieces, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese.
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In a small mixing bowl or mason jar, combine ingredients for dressing; extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, maple syrup, dijon mustard, pink sea salt and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
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Once you are ready to serve, drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
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- Serve salad on a large platter instead of a salad bowl- If serving this salad for a large crowd or dinner party, serve salad in a platter with ingredients layered instead of mixed together. This makes it easier for people to serve themselves and grab enough of each ingredient. Also, serve dressing on the side so each individual can dress their own salad, preventing it from getting soggy as it sits.
- Don't add dressing until ready to serve- Piggy backing on the last tip, toss salad with dressing once you are ready to serve it so that it doesn't get soggy.
- Drizzle fresh lemon juice over apple slices- The citrus from lemon juice will prevent the sliced apples from browning. Even after several hours.
- Use any kind of apples or even pears- I love using fuji apples for this recipe. You can use any kind of preferred red apple. Pears are also a great substitute. You can even use a combination of red apples and pears.
- Substitute for goat cheese- Feta makes for a great substitute. Crumbled blue cheese is also great in this recipe.
- Substitute for maple syrup- Use honey.
- Use balsamic vinegar- If you don't have balsamic glaze, you can use balsamic vinegar. The dressing just won't be as thick as it is with balsamic glaze.
- Make it vegan- Simply omit goat cheese or use vegan goat or feta cheese.
- Substitute for walnuts- Pecans are great or almonds.
- Substitute for pumpkin seeds- Sunflower seeds are great too.
- Use toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds- It adds more flavor and texture to the salad. Just make sure that they are not salted.