This salad will certainly make you feel stronger! Atop a fresh bed of greens lies sweet, candied pecans, crisp apple slices, bright bursts of pomegranate seeds, and tangy goat cheese crumbles. But the breakaway star is a sweet, creamy, tangy, and smoky dressing, with notes of maple throughout; it knows the melody to your heartbeat song, make no mistake. Kelly Clarkson Apple Salad is the salad course that is incredible all because of you!
Ingredients
For the maple vinaigrette dressing:
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- fresh ground black pepper, optional, to taste
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
For the salad:
- 8 cups mixed greens or tender lettuce
- 1 crisp tart apple, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup candied pecans or toasted pecans, homemade or store-bought
- 1/4 cup goat cheese or feta cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
- fresh thyme, optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –In a medium bowl, whisk the maple syrup, the apple cider vinegar, the Dijon mustard, the salt, and the black pepper.
Step 2 –While whisking, slowly add in the olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dressing becomes creamy.
Step 3 –Place the greens on a large platter.
Step 4 –Top the greens with the apple slices, the candied pecans, the goat cheese, and the pomegranate seeds.
Step 5 –Top with about 6 tablespoons of the maple vinaigrette dressing (refrigerating the remainder for up to 2 weeks).
Step 6 –Garnish with the thyme and serve immediately.
