Description
A fresh and vibrant Apple Pecan Salad featuring crisp Romaine lettuce, sweet Honeycrisp apples, crunchy candied pecans, and aged white cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy lemon dressing made with crème fraiche or Greek yogurt. Perfect for a light lunch or a delightful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Creamy Lemon Dressing:
- 3/4 cup crème fraiche or plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Salad:
- 2 heads Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 large Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup candied pecans
- 4 oz. aged white cheddar cheese, grated with a potato peeler or large grater
- 1 tablespoon minced chives
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Combine the crème fraiche or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and kosher salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside. The dressing can be made up to 2 days in advance to enhance flavors.
- Prepare the salad base: Place the chopped Romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl. Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the thinly sliced apples and gently toss to prevent browning.
- Assemble the salad: Add the lemon-tossed apple slices, candied pecans, grated aged white cheddar cheese, and minced chives into the bowl with the lettuce.
- Toss and serve: Pour the creamy lemon dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until everything is well coated. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures.
Notes
- Assemble and toss the salad just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
- You can prepare the dressing and chop the ingredients in advance to save time.
- If crème fraiche is unavailable, plain Greek yogurt is a perfect substitute in the dressing.
- For extra crunch, lightly toast the candied pecans before adding to the salad.
