Imagine a salad that captures the essence of autumn in every single bite - crisp apples, earthy spinach, and toasted walnuts dancing together in a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds sing! This Autumn Apple and Spinach Salad isn't just a side dish; it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece in just 15 minutes. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a nutritious meal, this recipe is about to become your new seasonal obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Thoroughly wash the fresh spinach leaves and use a salad spinner or pat dry with clean paper towels to ensure the leaves are completely dry.
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Once they become fragrant and lightly golden, remove from heat and let cool.
- Wash the apples and slice them thinly. For best presentation, cut the apples just before serving to prevent browning.
- In a large salad bowl, gently place the fresh spinach leaves as the base of the salad.
- Arrange the thinly sliced apples evenly across the spinach leaves.
- Sprinkle the toasted walnuts over the salad.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette evenly across the salad just before serving.
- Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating with the vinaigrette.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp textures and fresh flavors.
Tips
- Spinach Selection: Choose fresh, vibrant spinach leaves with no wilting or discoloration for the best flavor and texture.
- Apple Prep Trick: To prevent apple browning, you can toss sliced apples in a little lemon juice before adding to the salad.
- Toasting Nuts Perfectly: Watch walnuts carefully while toasting - they can burn quickly. Remove from heat as soon as they become fragrant and golden.
- Vinaigrette Hack: For an extra flavor boost, consider making your own balsamic vinaigrette instead of using store-bought.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve the salad immediately after dressing to maintain the crispness of the spinach and prevent wilting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
