My Favorite Apple Spinach Salad

This Apple Spinach Salad recipe is one of my all-time favorites. It’s made with a delicious mix of sweet and savory ingredients, it’s tossed with a tangy champagne vinaigrette, and it’s always a crowd favorite! Feel free to sub in whatever greens, nuts, or soft cheese that you have on hand.

INGREDIENTS:

• APPLE SPINACH SALAD INGREDIENTS:
• 10 ounces baby spinach
• 2 large apples, cored and thinly-sliced (I used 1 gala apple, 1 granny smith apple, but any will do)
• half a small red onion, peeled and thinly-sliced
• 1 cup walnut halves, toasted (or pecans)
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (or feta cheese, or blue cheese)
• 1 batch apple cider vinaigrette (see below)
• CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS:
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup champagne vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
• a generous pinch of salt and black pepper
• (optional) 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, to sweeten

DIRECTIONS:

1. TO MAKE THE APPLE SPINACH SALAD:
2. Add spinach, apples, red onion, walnuts, dried cranberries, and half of the goat cheese to a large bowl.  Drizzle with the vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining goat cheese.

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