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Best Easy Harvest Apple Fennel Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

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A quick and easy salad featuring crisp apples, tender fennel, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a sweet-tangy maple vinaigrette. Perfect for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups mixed greens (arugula recommended)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. Cut off the stalks and fronds from the fennel bulb. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise, remove the tough core, and slice the fennel as thin as possible (about 2 cups).
  3. Core the apples and slice them thinly. Toss immediately with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
  4. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced shallot, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine sliced fennel, sliced apples, mixed greens, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with about half the dressing and toss gently. Add more dressing as needed.
  6. Let the salad rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Slice fennel and apples as thin as possible for best texture. Toasting the walnuts is essential for flavor. Let the salad rest 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the fennel to absorb the dressing. Store undressed components separately for leftovers.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple fennel salad, harvest salad, maple vinaigrette, quick salad, easy salad, fall salad, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/best-easy-harvest-apple-fennel-salad-with-maple-vinaigrette/