This simple arugula and apple salad is the perfect addition to your fall menu planning. Nutty manchego cheese and sweet dried cherries paired with spicy arugula come together to create a perfect salad.
Ok folks, I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve seen an arugula salad recipe but, trust me, this will be one of your top five. The combination of sweet cherries and nutty manchego cheese is a winner!
I ate a similar salad on a recent trip to Asheville, NC. at Zambra, a farm to table tapas and wine bar. Their simple arugula salad was phenomenal and inspiring!
Why This Arugula Apple Walnut Salad is the Best
While my version is not exactly the same, the basic ingredients that I thought really made the salad are still there. I added some carrot and replaced their candied pecans with walnuts to tone down the sweetness of the salad.
Ok so their version also did not have apples, but I think apples give the salad a nice crunchy texture. My preference is to use a firm apple like gala apples or honeycrisp apples.
Arugula salad dressing is often made with balsamic vinegar or lemon juice. This arugula salad dressing recipe is made with sherry vinegar and sweet cherries. So good! The dried cherries soak in the vinegar and become nice and plump in your salad.
And while you might be used to seeing your arugula paired with goat cheese, you'll be surprised once you try manchego cheese. The sweet taste of the cherries mixed with the nutty flavor of manchego gives this salad a unique and delicious dressing.
How to Make Arugula and Apple Salad
This arugula salad is super easy to make. I buy pre- cut or matchstick carrots and a box of baby arugula. The only cutting you have to do is for the apples. Put the dressing together first so the cherries have time to soak and then prep the salad and toast the walnuts. Done!
Tips for Making the Salad
You can prep, and dress the salad in advance and pop it into the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
You can also swap out apples for pears. I've done this many times and still enjoyed the taste.
For more fall recipes you may also like my
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Apple Pie Cheesecakes in a Jar
- Upside Down Pear Cake
- Poached Pears in Wine
I originally shared this arugula and apple salad recipe on Food Fanatic so be sure to visit it there.
Fall Arugula and Apple Salad
This simple arugula and apple salad is the perfect addition to your fall menu planning. Nutty manchego cheese and sweet dried cherries paired with spicy arugula come together to create a perfect salad.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoons Sherry Wine Vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons Honey
- ½ cup Dried Cherries
- 5 ounces Baby Arugula
- 2 Apples, quartered, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 large Carrot, grated
- ⅓ cup Walnuts
- ½ cup Manchego Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt and honey. Add the dried cherries and set aside the dressing.
- In a skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts for about 1-2 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid burning them. Remove the walnuts from the hot pan and set aside.
- Toss the arugula, apples and carrots together in a large bowl.
- Next add the dressing and mix.
- Mix in the walnuts and manchego cheese.
Notes
Add the dressing to the salad according to your taste. You might not want to use all of it but be sure you get enough of those cherries in it!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 341mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 4gSugar: 27gProtein: 12g
This nutrition information is only an approximate provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. Information comes from Nutritionix, an automated nutrition calculator.
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