Description
A vibrant and nutritious Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad featuring sweet and tangy dried cranberries, crunchy honey-roasted almonds, fresh apple slices, and a zesty apple cider vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 medium clove garlic, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 1 large crisp red apple, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced
- ½ cup pomegranate arils or seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300˚F and line a sheet pan with foil. Combine slivered almonds, olive oil, honey, and kosher salt on the sheet pan, stirring to mix. Bake for 5 minutes, then stir the almonds. Repeat baking and stirring cycles 2-3 times until almonds turn light golden brown, about 15-20 minutes total. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Place dried cranberries and 1 tablespoon of water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 40 seconds. Let cool.
- In a glass jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and poppy seeds. Cover tightly and shake well until emulsified. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine baby spinach and thinly sliced apple. Drizzle ¼ cup of the dressing over the greens and apples, tossing gently to coat. Top with plumped dried cranberries, pomegranate arils, and honey-roasted almonds. Toss lightly before serving and offer extra dressing at the table.
Notes
- Perfect for fall and holiday gatherings.
- Adjust the amount of honey based on your sweetness preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 266 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg