Candied Walnut Salad and Apple Cherry

This Apple Cherry and Candied Walnut Salad is simple, fresh and flavor-packed! A blend of leafy greens, micro greens and fresh basil is topped with crisp sliced apples, dried cherries, crumbled blue cheese and from-scratch candied walnuts drizzled with a tart cherry balsamic vinaigrette. Serves 4 entire salads.

I’m forever craving salads.

The other day I made this Panera recreation for lunch. Last night I served this fall harvest salad with dinner. However prior to both of these, I made the salad I’m sharing with you today. A regular here the combination of sweet and tart apples, crunchy candied walnuts, dried cherries and the tangy blue cheese with little pops of freshness from basil. But the from-scratch cherry balsamic dressing makes it *chefs kiss*.

It’s honestly so simple yet so striking.

All in all, it’s the reliable fall salad,

For this Apple Cherry and Candied Walnut Salad Set out:

for the vinaigrette:

• kosher salt – Enhances the flavors of this dressing.
• freshly ground black pepper – This will add some subtle bite and flavor.
• garlic – Adds flavor-packed punchy flavor.
• dijon mustard – Helps with emulsion and also gives the dressing a nice tanginess.
• honey – For a touch of sweetness. You could also use maple syrup.
• balsamic vinegar – For tang and acidity.
• tart cherry juice concentrate – This is thick and syrupy with a concentrated cherry flavor. I use the Shoreline fruit brand.
• extra virgin olive oil – Lends richness and flavor.

for the salad:

• leafy salad mix – Use your go-to. I used a blend of power greens and baby romaine.
• micro greens – Depending on what you buy will depend on what flavor they add to a salad.
• basil (fresh) – For distinct fresh herbaceous flavor.
• apples – I’m using cosmic crisp apples, however honeycrisp, red flavor-packed or pink lady can be used.
• dried tart cherries – Has great texture and satisfying sweet and tart flavor.
• candied walnuts – Lends sweetness and crunch with subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• blue cheese – Adds creaminess and sharp, earthy and tangy flavor.

It’s pretty straightforward! Toss walnuts in beaten and frothy egg whites and then toss those into some sugar with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. But I’ll include the full recipe at the bottom of the post.

In a glass jar or container with a tight fitting lid, measure and add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 clove grated fresh garlic, 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 cup cherry juice concentrate, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.

Secure the lid and shake well. Make sure the honey, salt and pepper are distributed well.

Next throw you go-to leafy salad greens into a big bowl. I’m using a power blend and a baby romaine. To that add in 2 ounces micro greens and 1/3 cup sliced fresh basil.

Divide salad among bowls and top wit sliced apples, candied walnuts, dried cherries, crumbled blue cheese.

Drizzle with the cherry balsamic vinaigrette.

Season with black pepper and a few extra basil leaves.

And there you have it friends. My newest salad obsession, the apple cherry and candied walnut salad!

It was hard for me to pick out my regular thing about this salad. Crunchy tart apples with blue cheese is a match made in heaven, but crunchy candied walnuts and the tart dried cherries is pretty standout as well. And then there’s the dressing! Insert all the heart eye emojis!

With that said, I orchestrate that every forkful has a little of everything on it.

Enjoy! And if you give this Apple Cherry and Candied Walnut salad recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!