Apple Arugula Salad – Fresh with Maple Pecans
Combine fresh arugula with thinly sliced apples, figs, and goat cheese.Top with crunchy maple-glazed pecans.Toss with homemade balsamic Dijon dressing just before serving.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- - 3 apples very thinly sliced
- - 5 oz. arugula
- - ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- - ½ cup dried figs chopped
- - ½ cup goat cheese crumbles
For the Maple Pecans
- - 1 cup pecan halves
- - 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- - Pinch of sea salt
For the Balsamic Dressing
- - ½ cup olive oil
- - 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- - 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- - ½ teaspoon black pepper
- - 1 garlic clove minced
- - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- - ¼–½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the pecan halves in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt, then toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the pecans in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 5–7 minutes, watching carefully toward the end, until the pecans are lightly toasted and the maple syrup has caramelized slightly.
- Remove the pecans from the oven and allow them to cool completely. They will become crunchier as they cool.
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, black pepper, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, and sea salt until well combined.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the salt, maple syrup, or lemon juice as desired.
- Place the arugula in a large serving bowl.
- Arrange the thinly sliced apples, red onion, chopped figs, goat cheese, and cooled maple pecans over the greens.
- Just before serving the Apple Arugula Salad, drizzle approximately half of the balsamic dressing over the ingredients.
- Gently toss until everything is lightly coated. Add additional dressing as needed and serve immediately.
Notes
Pears can replace apples for a softer, sweeter variation.
If goat cheese isn't your favorite, feta makes a delicious substitute and provides a slightly saltier flavor.
Walnuts can replace pecans. Prepare them with maple syrup and salt using the same method.
Fresh figs can be used when they're in season. Otherwise, dried figs offer concentrated sweetness and a pleasantly chewy texture.
If goat cheese isn't your favorite, feta makes a delicious substitute and provides a slightly saltier flavor.
Walnuts can replace pecans. Prepare them with maple syrup and salt using the same method.
Fresh figs can be used when they're in season. Otherwise, dried figs offer concentrated sweetness and a pleasantly chewy texture.