This fall salad, perfect for a light lunch or holiday side, features crisp, juicy apples, dried cranberries, pecans, broccoli and shaved parmesan. Tossed with a maple vinaigrette, it's a perfect lunch or holiday side.
In Montreal we have a small local chain called Mandy's that just makes salads. Huge bowls of the most crave-able salads ever. Most of them are vegetarian, although you can get meat as an add-on. But you REALLY don't need to. The sheer volume of salad makes it totally satisfying even without meat. and if you're thinking that you'd quickly get bored chowing down on an enormous pile of greens, you would be wrong. Every bite pretty much knocks you out with the different taste and textures. If you're ever in town, it's worth the detour.
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Now this is not a Mandy's recipe, but I did have their salads in mind when I tossed this one together. It's a familiar fall flavor profile with crisp, juicy apple slices, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted pecans. I added some raw broccoli and shaved Parmesan for extra fun and flavor.
For the greens, you can really use whatever you like, from romaine to iceberg to spring mix. I opted for the baby kale mix I discovered when I made this amazing roasted sweet potato salad a few weeks back. In general, I like to use more delicate greens, like spring mix, when I plan to serve a salad as a side, and heartier greens like romaine and baby spinach, kale, and chard when I'm serving it as a main course.
The maple vinaigrette and I go way back. I've always loved a sweet and tangy salad dressing and this has been one of my faves for years.
Enjoy! xx
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A Few More Favorite Salads From the Blog
Fall Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 5 oz mixed greens such as a mix of baby spinach, kale, and chard
- ½ cup broccoli florets thinly sliced
- 1 apple thinly sliced
- 1 oz Parmesan cheese shaved with a vegetable peeler or knife
- ½ cup toasted pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
Maple Dressing
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablepoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the salad ingredients.
- Inn a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, mayonnaise, and white wine vinegar. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly, until smooth and emulsified.
- Toss the desired amount of dressing with the salad ingredients until well coated.
Jacque Hastert
This looks like the perfect salad. It has just the right amount of crunch 🙂
Ann
Thanks Jacque! I totally agree 🙂
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites
This is most definitely a perfect salad for all year, but that maple dressing is SO amazing! I'm big on maple this season and will happily take it any way I can get it!
Ann
Thanks Lauren! Me too!
David
I make a maple vinaigrette regularly, it's very tasty! I like the use of apples and cranberries in your salad to make it a great fall recipe!
Ann
It's one of my favorite dressings too!
Noel Lizotte
Perfect for fall! Today's going to be warm in Ohio, so salad is a good meal option.
With this ingredients, tho, it will still taste like fall!
Ann
I would definitely take some warmer weather right now!
Mirlene
What a nice and refreshing salad. Perfect for a light day. The maple vinaigrette is also a great addition!
Ann
Thanks Mirlene!