Autumn Harvest Salad

★★★☆☆

Prep: 30 mins Cook: 10 mins Serves: 6

Ingredients

Candied pecans:
1 cup pecan halves
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp kosher or sea salt
Quick pickled onions:
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup water
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tsp kosher or sea salt
Apple cider vinaigrette:
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed is best
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp honey or maple syrup
pinch of salt and black pepper
6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Harvest salad:
6 cups mixed lettuce (butter lettuce, arugula, and baby spinach)
1 large honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
1 cup mandarin orange slices
2 figs, quartered
½ cup quick pickled onions
½ cup pomegranate seeds
½ cup candied pecans
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Make candied pecans: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, cayenne, and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Add pecan halves and stir to coat well. Spread on prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until toasted and fragrant. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
5. Remove from oven and let cool completely (they'll become crunchy as they cool).
6. Make pickled onions: Add sliced red onion to a mixing bowl.
7. In a saucepan, combine water, apple cider vinegar, honey, and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
8. Pour hot mixture over sliced onions and let sit 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
9. Make vinaigrette: Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl, or combine in a mason jar and shake well.
10. Assemble salad: In a large salad bowl, add lettuce. Scatter sliced apples, mandarin oranges, quartered figs, pickled onions, pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, and candied pecans over top.
11. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.
12. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and serve immediately.

This salad showcases beautiful autumn flavors with the sweet-spicy candied pecans, tangy pickled onions, and bright apple cider vinaigrette. The combination of textures and seasonal ingredients makes it perfect for fall entertaining. All ovens cook differently, so watch the pecans carefully to prevent burning. The pickled onions and candied pecans can be made ahead of time.

Wine Pairing: Aromatic White