There’s a few components to make this Apple Salad – and it’s worth it! With candied walnuts or pecans, plumped cranberries, thinly sliced apple and leafy greens, this is a salad that’s worthy of festive gatherings.
This Apple Salad is tossed with a simple vinaigrette – because with all the fabulous textures and flavours going on here, we don’t want the dressing to steal the show!!
A SHOW-OFFY APPLE SALAD
There’s 3 types of salads in my world:
1. quick and easy salads for midweek meals;
2. giant meal salads; and
3. show-offy salads.
In my world, the definition of “show-offy salads” are those that require a bit more effort, reserved for gatherings, lunch with friends, and for family dinners where I’m sulking because everybody else “bagsed” the “fun” courses – starters, main and dessert, leaving me with “just” salad.
“You want me to bring salad? I’ll show you a salad!!” I fume silently to myself.
And thus, I embark on a mission to make a great salad. Tasty, pretty and interesting – but still fresh enough to be a side dish.
This Apple Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries is one such salad.
This recipe centres around apples, the crisp, juicy sweetness and pairing it with leafy greens and an assortment of other ingredients to create a salad that’s loaded with great textures.
Well, actually, just one apple. That’s all you need for this recipe. Once sliced thinly, one apple stretches quite far.
I like to use red apples for this, mainly for colour and also because I prefer the sweet with a bit of tart that is inherent with most varieties of red apples here in Australia. But feel free to use any apple you want!
HOW TO MAKE MY APPLE SALAD
I did say upfront that there’s a few components to this apple salad, and I think it’s worth it if you’re going all out! BUT you can absolutely simplify it – note the significant use of the words “optional step”in the following section:
Candied walnuts (or pecans or other nuts) – Super quick, 5 minutes on the stove for crunchy toffee coated nuts. This is an optional step for show-off purposes;
Plump cranberries – Just a 5 minute soak in hot water is all that’s required to transform shrivelled up dried cranberries (or any berries) into plump little balls that burst in your mouth when you bite into them. Again, optional!
Sliced apple drizzled with lemon to stop them from browning – optional if serving immediately;
Simple dressing made with vinegar, oil, mustard and sugar. Keep it simple to let everything else shine!
Leafy greens, onion for a fresh bite and the teeniest crumble of feta or goats cheese mainly for garnish.
As I always do out of interest, I did a quick search on the internet to see how others do Apple Salad. I was somewhat bemused to see an astonishing array of mayo-laden salads made with apple.
Suffice to say, this is pretty much on the opposite end of the spectrum. I’d describe this salad as fresh and bright with the zingy dressing, the crisp sweet juiciness of apple, and the leafy greens, with added pops of flavour and textures from the sweet-tart (plumped!) cranberries and the crunch of the candied walnuts.
It really is a terrific combination! – Nagi x
MORE GREAT SALADS FOR GATHERINGS
- Wild Rice Salad – the vibrant colours in this are amazing!
- Israeli Couscous Salad
- Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad
- Cowboy Rice Salad
- Brussels Sprout Salad
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts and Cranberries
Ingredients
- 1 red apple , quartered, seeds remove, finely sliced
- Squeeze of lemon juice (to stop apple browning)
- 120 g/4 oz mixed salad leaves (4 to 5 big handfuls)
- 1/2 red onion , finely sliced (wedge way, not half moon)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp feta or goats cheese , crumbled (garnish, optional)
Candied Walnuts (or other nuts):
- 1 tbsp butter , salted
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1.5 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
Candied Nuts:
- Place butter in a small non stick skillet over medium heat. When melted, add sugar. Stir briefly, then leave until the sugar mostly melts.
- When it starts bubbling a bit, add nuts.
- Stir 2 minutes. Pour out on parchment paper lined tray.
- Spread nuts out, allow to cool. Roughly chop half, leave some whole.
Plump Cranberries:
- Place in a bowl, pour over freshly boiled water. Leave to soak 10 minutes then drain.
Apple:
- Drizzle with lemon juice and toss (stops apple from browning).
Dressing:
- Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Adjust to taste – more oil to make it creamier, sugar for sweet, vinegar for tart.
Assemble:
- Place salad in a large bowl with half the apple slices and all the onion. Drizzle with half the dressing then toss.
- Scatter over the cranberries, desired amount of walnuts, remaining apple slices and feta. Drizzle with remaining dressing. Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
I seriously think he’d make kids cry with this Halloween mask!! 👺👺👺
I would give it a 10 star rating if i could.
So fresh and the dressing was an absolute winner.
I substituted red apples with green ones for a more citric taste with the goat cheese.
Sounds great Nadine, I’m so glad you loved it! – N x
Show offy apple salad is going to be on my list for gethering.
Thanksgiving . Looks amazing, fresh.
Thank you Nagi and lovely Dozer.
Happy holidays.
Enjoy Ana!!
Haaaa, haaaa, how did you know I would go straight to Mr D… photos?? Love your idea of using heart and looking glass ( for D. ). Love this salad due to walnuts, Thanks.
Another great recipe. Nagi you are my go to for wonderful dinner ideas.
Thanks so much Nanette!
This is great Nagi! Perfect for the white chicken lasagna. Great combo.
Yum!!
Hi Nagi,
Can i also prepare the nuts with unsalted butter?
Sure can Colette!
Love this salad but a question….should the nuts have been toasted/roasted? Flavor was great but walnuts not very crunchy…..used raw.
Hi Shari, you could use either, If you found them a bit soft, stock to roasted nuts – N x
Wow, all the way from overseas you take the time to check and answer questions! You are a remarkable woman.THANK YOU,
Nagi you’ve done it again! I quickly made this as a side salad at dinner and my fiance kept raving about it. I skipped candying the walnuts and plumping the cranberries this go around but will try that next time – it’ll probably blow his socks off, lol.
Happy to report that this salad ticked all the boxes at a recent gathering – definitely a ‘show offy’ salad! The candied walnuts got rave reviews, as did the ‘plumped’ cranberries – everyone wanted the recipe!
Ah yes! Those candied nuts always seal the deal!! And those “plumped” cranberries – no one can resist them 😂
Looks good
Thinking of taking this for Christmas Lunch. Can I assemble and dress earlier or wait till I’m there????
Hi Carolyn, dress salads just before serving to avoid them going soggy. N x
Can I add chicken?
Can I add chicken too?
Of course!
Thanks
Hi Nagi, is cider vinegar the same as apple cider vinegar.?
Yep it sure is! 🙂 N x
Thanks for a lovely recipe. This is going to be my go to salad over Christmas. I enjoyed it along with your Roast Pork recipe. That crackling! Yummm!
Made this salad last night and it was delicious! The salad dressing also goes a long way!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love seeing your gorgeous Dozer Posts, he’s always into something…..
Perfect, exactly what I needed!! The list just went up for everyone to nominate what salad they are bringing to Melbourne Cup lunch! Looking forward showing off with this one. Thanks Nagi!
Hope everyone loves it Pam!! N x
What would you recommend instead of Dijon mustard in dressing? (Isn’t that the one that tastes like horseradish?) I don’t care for that, but would love to make dressing. Any suggestions?
No! It’s the mild one! 🙂 Otherwise just leave it out 🙂 N x