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Fresh Cranberry Apple Salad

 
This cranberry apple salad is a winner. Tossed with a delicious lime vinaigrette, this simple cranberry salad with a lime vinaigrette, toasted walnuts and green onions always gets rave reviews!
cranberry and apple salad

I’ve only served this fresh cranberry apple salad to two people and both of them loved it.

Salad doesn’t often generate any comments from manservant, but this one did. “Look, I finished all that was left in the bowl!” as if he wanted a gold star. “I really liked this salad. Why can’t you make more like this?” he asked.

I served it to my daughter, who is now home, the next night. “This is a really good salad”, she said. Their words sound like they come from the same family, don’t they? Good thing, they do.

Whatever. It is a good salad. One doesn’t always need a cranberry relish. This salad combines fresh, crisp, rosy red cranberries with fresh greens, sweet apples and crunchy walnuts.

It is a great cranberry salad and one that would be colorful enough for your Christmas holiday table, too.

You can even put a bag of cranberries in the freezer and use those to make this salad for some fun in the summer. Feel free to add some blue cheese. Some goat cheese. That is if you want a substantial salad. But this beauty is good all on its own.

Now one thing I am wishing for, but not counting on, this holiday season is lights. The pictures of this salad could have been a whole lot better. So, you will have to trust me on this. We are on that level, aren’t we?

This salad is so much prettier when you make it yourself. The red of the cranberries contrasts so vividly with the greens.

This is cranberry apple  salad that satisfies the senses. It tastes great and  looks spectacular. Plus we all need something that is a bit healthy on our holiday table, right?

And just to let you know, we had a visitor at our front door. He left these telltale signs in the snow. Be careful, my turkey friend. Someone might get the wrong idea.

turkey tracks 2 1

But back to salad. Eat it. It is good for you. And good, too. Yeah. Right. And just wondering? What is your favorite salad for turkey day?

CranberryandAppleSalada 2

 

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Fresh Cranberry Apple Salad
 
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cranberry apple salad in white bowl

Fresh Cranberry and Apple Salad

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  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Total Time: 20 Minutes
  • Yield: 4 - 6 Servings 1x
  • Category: Salads
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This simple fresh cranberry salad is a great way to use up any cranberries you have in the fridge. Or stash a bag in the freezer and surprise everyone this summer.


Ingredients

Units Scale

1 1/2 c coarsely chopped cranberries
3 T sugar
2 T fresh lime juice
2 t Dijon mustard
1/2 c virgin olive oil, walnut oil or hazel nut oil
1 c chopped toasted walnuts or hazelnuts
2 large apples cored and coarsely chopped
1/4 c sliced green onions
1 head romaine or 1 bag baby greens
For garnish: some zested lime


Instructions

In a small bowl, combine cranberries and sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

In a medium bowl, mix lime juice and mustard. Add oil in slow stream, whisking to form an emulsion. Marinate nuts, apples and onions in this dressing for 1-4 hours.

To serve: Line a bowl with romaine. Or put your baby greens in the bowl. Make a well in the middle of the greens. Spoon in apple mixture. Make a well in the apples and spoon in cranberries. Or just toss all together. I like this seasoned with a touch of salt. Garnish with grated lime zest.


Notes

Stash a bag in the freezer so you can make this  next summer!

 

turkey tracks 1

 

 

 

 
Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Asha Shivakumar

Monday 9th of December 2013

Those footprints, a sweet little visitor.The salad looks good. I am a big fan of walnuts and this is so colorful and lovely looking. Lighting is such a meanie during the dreary winters, I hear ya.

Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens

Wednesday 27th of November 2013

So very cool that you had a little turkey visitor (although maybe bad timing on his part!?!?)! This salad looks fantastic - love the idea of a cranberry "relish" as part of a composed salad! And, oooh la la - I am totally in on your suggestion of blue cheese - you're my kinda salad gal, no doubt! Abbe, I hope you have a really wonderful Thanksgiving! :D

Juliana

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

Such a beautiful and refreshing salad Abbe...love the fruits in it...The footprints are so cute.Have a great week Abbe :D

Angie Schneider

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

Your salad looks so colourful and appetizing! I am going to have a pomelo salad :-)

Sharon

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

Oh, how fresh and lovely. I rarely make salads but you are so inspiring me to try!

Abbe Odenwalder

Tuesday 26th of November 2013

Salads are wonderful, Sharon. You should try some. I am sure you must have some great salad ingredients to work with!