Apple-Cranberry Salad With Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette

🥗🍏🍇 Apple-Cranberry Salad With Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette 🍋🥗

What is it?
Apple-Cranberry Salad with Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette is a delightful and refreshing salad that combines the crispness of apples, the tartness of cranberries, and the creaminess of lemon vinaigrette. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, making it a favorite choice for a healthy and tasty side dish or light meal.

History:
While there isn’t a specific historical account of when this salad was first created, fruit salads have been enjoyed for centuries in various forms. Apples and cranberries are both native to North America, and their combination in salads likely emerged as a result of their availability and complementary flavors. The addition of a creamy lemon vinaigrette adds a modern twist to the classic fruit salad.

Components:

• 2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced 🍏🍏
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, sliced or chopped 🍇
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts 🥜
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 🧀
• 5 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., spinach, arugula, or your choice) 🌱

Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup olive oil 🫒
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 🍋
• 1 tablespoon honey 🍯
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 🍯
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt 🥄
• Salt and pepper to taste 🧂🌶️

Steps to Prepare:

1. Prepare the Vinaigrette:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, and Greek yogurt until well combined.
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients:

   • Wash and slice the apples thinly. You can leave the skin on for added texture and nutrients.
   • Slice or chop the fresh cranberries.
   • Chop the pecans or walnuts.
   • Crumble the feta cheese.

3. Assemble the Salad:

   • In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, sliced apples, chopped cranberries, chopped nuts, and crumbled feta cheese.

4. Dress the Salad:

   • Drizzle the creamy lemon vinaigrette over the salad.

5. Toss and Serve:

   • Gently toss the salad to ensure all ingredients are coated with the dressing.

6. Enjoy!

   • Serve immediately as a side dish or a light and refreshing main course.

Time Needed:

• Preparation Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: Around 20-25 minutes

This Apple-Cranberry Salad with Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette is a fantastic choice for a quick and healthy meal. Its combination of flavors and textures makes it a crowd-pleaser, and the creamy lemon vinaigrette adds a delightful zing to the dish. Enjoy your culinary adventure! 🍽️😊

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for the Apple-Cranberry Salad with Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values per Serving):

• Calories: 300-350 calories
• Total Fat: 20-25 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 12-15 grams
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2-3 grams
• Cholesterol: 10-15 milligrams
• Sodium: 300-350 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 28-32 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 4-6 grams
  • Sugars: 20-24 grams
• Protein: 6-8 grams
• Vitamin C: Approximately 30-40% of the Daily Recommended Intake (DRI)
• Vitamin A: Approximately 10-15% of the DRI
• Calcium: Approximately 10-15% of the DRI
• Iron: Approximately 6-8% of the DRI

Health Information:

1. Low in Calories: This salad is relatively low in calories, making it a good choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake.

2. Healthy Fats: The salad contains healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and Greek yogurt, which can be beneficial for heart health and overall well-being.

3. High in Fiber: The salad provides a good amount of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and helping you feel fuller for longer.

4. Rich in Vitamins: It’s a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for the immune system and skin health. It also provides some vitamin A and calcium.

5. Antioxidants: Cranberries are known for their antioxidant properties, which can help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

6. Protein: The inclusion of Greek yogurt and nuts adds some protein to the salad, making it a more satisfying and balanced meal option.

7. Moderate Sodium: The sodium content is moderate, but you can further reduce it by using less salt in the dressing if needed.

8. Natural Sugars: The majority of the sugars in this salad come from the natural sugars found in fruits. While it’s sweet, it’s not overly sugary.

9. Versatile and Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients and dressing quantities to suit your dietary preferences and nutritional needs.

Remember that the specific nutrition values may vary depending on the exact ingredients used and portion sizes. This salad can be a healthy addition to your diet when enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced meal plan.