Apple Pecan Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette
Apple and Mixed Greens with Apple-Truffle Vinaigrette is an elegant, light and refreshing first course or side salad. And, it’s easy to prepare, too! Mixed greens are topped with matchstick apples, candied pecans and shoestring potatoes, then served with a scrumptious apple-truffle vinaigrette.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 936kcal
Ingredients
Apple-Truffle Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 to 5 teaspoons white truffle oil see Note
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped shallots
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
Candied Pecans
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar medium pack
- 1/3 cup pecans coarsely chopped
- Kosher salt to taste
Mixed Greens Salad
- 1 granny smith apple cored and cut into 1/8-inch matchsticks
- 10 ounces mixed greens I like bagged “mixed spring greens”, washed, dried and torn into bite-site pieces
- 1/2 cup shoestring potatoes 8 ounce prepared
Instructions
Apple Truffle Vinaigrette
- Place apple juice, vinegar, mustard, honey, truffle oil, shallots and garlic in a blender and mix well.
- With the motor running, slowly add olive oil. Season to taste with salt.
- Cover and set aside for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Candied Pecans
- In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in sugar, then chopped pecans. Cook, stirring, until sugar is melted and nuts are lightly toasted, around 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and quickly transfer nuts onto waxed or parchment paper, separating the pecan pieces as much as possible. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Set aside to cool.
- When cool enough to handle, break into smaller pieces as needed. Place on paper towel to soak up any grease from the butter.
Mixed Greens Salad
- Arrange mixed greens on 4 individual salad plates, or on one large serving platter.
- Top with apple matchsticks and candied pecans; drizzle with some of the vinaigrette.
- Top with matchstick potatoes.
- Pass additional dressing on the side.
Notes
Make ahead: Vinaigrette and candied pecans can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Cover and store dressing in the refrigerator. Nuts can be covered and stored at room temperature.
Note on truffle oil: I recommend only using white truffle oil, not black. In my testing, black truffle oil flavor was too strong in this vinaigrette. White truffle oil can be found in specialty stores and some major grocery stores.
Nutrition
Calories: 936kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 73g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 41g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 1547IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg