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Cranberry salad with creamy dressing

A salad that dances between sweet and savory, with some nuts tossed in for a delightful crunch.

Ingredients

4 cups salad leaves (mixed, spinach, arugula, romaine)
1 cup cranberry (fresh cranberries)
1 apple (medium sized, thinly sliced)
1⁄2 cup walnut (shelled walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped)
1⁄2 cup cheese (crumbled feta cheese)
1⁄4 cup onion (red onion, thinly sliced)
1⁄2 cup yogurt (plain Greek yogurt)
2 tablespoons orange juice (best if freshly squeezed)
1 tablespoon honey (or to taste)
1 teaspoon orange zest
  seasoning (salt and pepper to taste)
  water (to blanch fresh cranberries)

Instructions

Begin by preparing the cranberries. If using fresh, you might want to quickly blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften them slightly and reduce tartness. Drain and set aside to cool.

In a dry pan, toast the walnuts over medium heat until they're fragrant and slightly browned. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Let them cool before chopping.

For the dressing, combine the Greek yogurt, orange juice, honey, and orange zest in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a large salad bowl, toss the mixed greens, cooled cranberries, apple slices, toasted walnuts, crumbled feta, and red onion.

Drizzle the citrus cream dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly.

Serve immediately, garnished with a little extra orange zest or a few whole cranberries on top for a festive touch.

Total time
22 minutes
Cooking time 2 minutes
Preparation time 20 minutes
Yield
4 servings

Notes

If fresh cranberries are too tart, you could use dried cranberries as a sweeter alternative.

Adjust the amount of honey to the desired sweetness. You can substitute honey with the same amount of maple syrup, if you prefer the flavor.

Variations

Add a cup of cooked quinoa or farro to the salad for a hearty, nutty flavor and a boost of protein. If you're looking to make this salad a main course, consider adding grilled chicken strips, shrimp, or tofu for a protein-packed dish.

Swap out feta for goat cheese for a creamier texture, or blue cheese for a bolder flavor. Experiment with other nuts and seeds, introduce orange or mandarin segments. Mix in a bit or mayonnaise or tahini with the Greek yogurt for added richness, or substitute the dressing for a rapsberry vinaigrette.

Source

American cuisine

easy, salad, side dish
vegetables, dairy, fruit
American food recipes
Food in the U.S.A.

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