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Quick Autumn Harvest Salad with Candied Pecans

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A quick and easy autumn salad with sweet, spiced candied pecans, tart apples, creamy feta, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing. Perfect for weeknights or potlucks, this salad comes together in under 25 minutes and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup pecan halves (raw)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 6 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
  • 1 medium apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne, and nutmeg. Add pecan halves and toss to coat.
  3. Spread pecans in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until glossy and fragrant. Let cool completely on the pan.
  4. While pecans cool, wash and dry greens if needed. Thinly slice apple (leave skin on) and red onion. Crumble feta if not pre-crumbled.
  5. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, sliced apple, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, and red onion. Drizzle with about half the dressing and toss gently. Add more dressing as needed.
  7. Top with cooled candied pecans just before serving. Serve immediately.

Notes

Add pecans right before serving to keep them crunchy. For best results, let pecans cool completely before adding to salad. Dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. To prevent apple browning, toss slices with a little lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: autumn salad, harvest salad, candied pecans, quick salad, weeknight salad, fall salad, apple salad, feta salad

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/quick-autumn-harvest-salad-with-candied-pecans/