Fall Salad with Maple-Balsamic Dressing

A tangy-sweet maple syrup and balsamic vinegar dressing brings seasonal flavor to this fall salad, packed with pecans, spinach, and apple.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 637 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 (10 ounce) package baby spinach leaves
• 1 ¼ cups diced apple
• 1 ¼ cups diced sharp Cheddar cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine spinach, apple, Cheddar cheese, cranberries, and pecans in a large salad bowl. Toss well.

Step 2

Combine balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard in the bowl of an electric blender. Blend on medium speed until mixed well. While the blender is running, add olive oil in a steady stream. Blend until oil and vinegar are no longer separated. Add salt and pepper to taste and emulsify until creamy. Drizzle over salad and serve immediately.