Description
Ina Garten’s apple salad combines crisp Granny Smith apples with creamy blue cheese and toasted walnuts. Sweet and tangy flavors dance together, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite of this classic autumn-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups baby spinach, rinsed and spin dried
- 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
Nuts and Dried Fruits:
- ½ cup walnuts, or pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup raisins
Dressing and Cheese:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ⅓ cup cheddar, shredded
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly combine plain yogurt, mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice (30 milliliters or 1 fluid ounces), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk the ingredients vigorously until the dressing achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Allow the prepared dressing to rest at room temperature, enabling the flavors to meld together.
- In a spacious salad bowl, layer crisp baby spinach leaves, finely chopped celery stalks, thinly sliced red onion, sweet golden raisins, roughly chopped raw walnuts, and thinly julienned crisp apple slices.
- Slowly cascade the prepared yogurt dressing over the salad ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
- Using two large salad servers or spoons, gently fold and toss the ingredients, coating each component with the creamy dressing without bruising the delicate spinach leaves.
- Immediately prior to serving, generously sprinkle freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese over the top, allowing the cheese to slightly melt from the salad’s residual moisture.
Notes
- Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for varying levels of tartness and crunch.
- Master the art of candying walnuts by toasting them with a light sugar coating for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Elevate the salad’s protein content by adding grilled chicken or crispy tofu for a more substantial meal.
- Storing leftovers works best in an airtight container, keeping dressing separate to maintain the salad’s freshness.
- Impress guests by preparing ingredients ahead of time and assembling the salad just before serving for maximum visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 233
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 182 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg