Description

This Holiday Honeycrisp Salad is a delightful mix of fresh ingredients that brings vibrant flavors and colors to your holiday table. Perfect as a refreshing side dish, it combines the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples with the crunch of walnuts and the tanginess of feta cheese. Let’s dive into the recipe details!

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
- Mix the Ingredients:
  In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  
  Taste and Adjust:
  Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tang.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
- Combine the Greens:
  In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced Honeycrisp apples, chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, crumbled feta (or goat cheese), and sliced red onion.
Step 3: Toss with Dressing
- Drizzle the Dressing:
  Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
Step 4: Serve

Notes

Balance the Flavors

Achieving the right balance of flavors is key to a delicious salad. As you mix your dressing, taste it along the way. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a bit more honey; if you enjoy tang, increase the apple cider vinegar. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different nuts or cheeses based on your taste preferences. Almonds or pecans can be delightful alternatives to walnuts.

Enhance Texture

Texture adds interest to your salad, so think about how you can create a variety of sensations in each bite. You can introduce additional crunchy elements, such as toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy chickpeas, for extra texture. If you’re using goat cheese, crumble it just before serving to maintain its creamy consistency.