Sunday, October 4, 2009

Apple, Nuts and Gruyere Salad


I've always been a big fan of apples in salads. Add a couple cubes of Gruyere, a few nuts and some good greens and you've got yourself a wonderful filling dish. For this salad, I used this new nut mix from Back to Nature. If you're a regular visitor to this blog, you'll know that I'm a firm believer in making sure your food is as natural as can be (read chemical-free, and where you can pronounce every word on a product's ingredient list). These nut mixes fit the bill for me: they're 100% natural and made this salad easy to make and ready to eat in minutes. I used a mix of almonds, raisins, pumpkin seeds, pecans and dried apricots.

I still have about 15 apples to use up... any ideas on other dishes to make? I still have a few surprises to post for the start of my 2nd apple week, so stay tuned!

Apple, Nuts and Gruyere Salad
Serves 2

1 apple, peeled, cored and cut into thin slices
1/4 cup of bite-size cubed Gruyere
2 big handful of mixed greens
2 tablespoons of mixed nuts

Vinaigrette:
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
A slash of apple cider vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Add the olive oil to a small bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. Add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving so the lettuce doesn't wilt. Enjoy!

Tip: Don't cut the apples too long before you're ready to serve the salad or they will start to change color. You can toss all the other ingredients for the salad in your serving bowl and make the vinaigrette in a separate bowl. Just before serving, cut the apples and add them to the salad, then add the dressing.

15 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Scrumptiously sweet salad!

Anonymous said...

Lovely blog with nicely composed pictures. Keep posting.

ladyironchef said...

heya thanks for dropping by my blog! wow the recipe looks easy enough, shall try it next time :)

Christie @ Fig&Cherry said...

Great salad combo! How about apple chutney or slicing them with a mandolin and oven drying to eat as a snack or in muesli?

Cate said...

I love the fruit-nut-cheese combo in salads! It's my go-to fall quick dinner, especially now that apples and pears are EVERYWHERE!

Jill @ Jillicious Discoveries said...

I love it! A few great ingredients and you have a fabulous salad! Also, I loved the look of those fritters on your other post--delicious!

Mini Baker said...

this looks refreshing, healthy and DELISH!
:)
I love your blog! I'm so glad I found it! I'll be back often :)
-Mini Baker

Marc @ NoRecipes said...

Great combo, this is almost the same combo that I put on pizza (apples, gruyere and candied walnuts). Yum!

Chele said...

Great salad and it makes such a change from the regular lettuce and tomato that normally gets served up in our house.

Jessica Lee Binder said...

I love apples is salads too. I'm more into the blue cheese combo than gruyere but I wouldn't say no to that lovely of yours.

Chocolate Shavings said...

Jessica Lee Binder: Blue cheese would work wonderfully too. Gruyere has a nice sharpness that complements the sweetness of the apple - which is why I love pairing it with apple. But who could say no to blue cheese?

Verena said...

I love to use fruit on salads and often make this nutty, apple and green leaves salad! Sometimes I grate or shave parmesan cheese on top of it!
Great blog and wonderful recipes!
Cheers from Brazil!

Mary said...

Fabulous flavor pairings...Gruyere is my favoire. Looks amazing!

Chocolate Shavings said...

Verena: Parmesan would be a wonderful addition to this salad!

Anonymous said...

since i've found your blog (on the To Dine For blog)- i'm addicted!

apple idea- super simple but everyone loves it; chicken salad. the norm: shreadded chicken breast, little mayo, onion, etc. but i throw in apple chunks, blond raisins, walnuts squeeze of a lemon and some cumin. good to keep in the fridge for snacking with crackers or throw on bread for a yummy sandwich :)

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