Apple Cheddar Salad With Maple Dressing Recipe

Ingredients for Apple Cheddar Salad With Maple Dressing

• Lettuce
• Walnuts
• 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended), thinly sliced
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• Vinegar
• Maple Syrup
• Salt
• Dijon Mustard
• Vegetable Oil

How to Make Apple Cheddar Salad With Maple Dressing

1. **Prepare the Maple-Glazed Pecans:** Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a small bowl, toss 1/2 cup pecan halves with 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. **Bake the Pecans:** Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
3. **Make the Dressing:** In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid and shake vigorously to emulsify.
4. **Assemble the Salad:** In a large bowl, gently toss 5 oz of mixed salad greens with as much of the maple dressing as desired.
5. **Plate the Salad:** Divide the salad among 6-8 serving plates.
6. **Add Toppings:** Top each salad with thinly sliced apple (about 1 medium apple), 4 oz crumbled sharp cheddar cheese, and the cooled maple-glazed pecans.