This salad is quick to assemble and bursting with complementary flavors and textures.
Prep time: 15 minutes Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:
For the Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1-2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- ½ small clove garlic, minced (optional, for a subtle garlic kick)
- Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
- 5-6 ounces (about 5-6 packed cups) fresh baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
- 1 large crisp apple (such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced or diced
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- ⅓ cup shelled pistachios (lightly salted is great)
- Optional additions: ¼ cup dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, grilled chicken, or cooked quinoa for a more substantial meal.
Equipment:
- Small bowl or jar with a lid for the dressing
- Large salad bowl
- Whisk or fork
Instructions:
1. Make the Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing: * In a small bowl or a mason jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic (if using). * Whisk vigorously with a fork or close the jar and shake well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dressing is emulsified (creamy and well-blended). * Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings as needed: add more honey for sweetness, more lemon juice for tang, or more salt and pepper to your liking.
2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients: * In a large salad bowl, add the washed and dried baby spinach. * Add the sliced or diced apple. To prevent the apple slices from browning, you can lightly toss them with a tiny bit of lemon juice before adding them to the salad. * Add the crumbled feta cheese. * Add the shelled pistachios.
3. Assemble and Serve: * Just before serving, drizzle about half of the prepared Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. * Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Add more dressing as desired, but avoid over-dressing to prevent sogginess. * Serve immediately.
Tips and Variations:
- Apples: Choose a firm, crisp apple variety that you enjoy. Sweet apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp offer a nice contrast to the savory elements, while a tart Granny Smith can add a zesty bite.
- Nuts: While pistachios are fantastic, feel free to substitute with toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds. You can lightly toast them in a dry skillet for a few minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Cheese: Goat cheese or even a mild blue cheese could be a delightful alternative to feta.
- Add-ins:
- Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries or cherries add another layer of sweetness and chewiness.
- Red Onion: A few very thinly sliced slivers of red onion can add a nice pungent kick, if you like.
- Protein: For a more complete meal, add grilled chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or even some roasted chickpeas.
- Other Greens: Mix in some arugula for a peppery note alongside the spinach.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the dressing and slice the apples (tossing with lemon juice) and crumble the feta in advance. Store all components separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and the apples fresh.
Enjoy your vibrant and delicious Apple Spinach Salad!