Cranberry Apple Walnut Salad {with Balsamic Apple Vinaigrette}

Thanksgiving is ONE week from today!!!

And let's be honest...

Where food is concerned, the traditional stars of that day include one, some, or all of the following:

1. Turkey... or Ham... to each their own
2. Pies... lots and lots of pies
3. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
4. Stuffing
5. Marshmallow-Topped Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes
6. Green Bean Casserole
7. Dinner Rolls

Each of those things are completely and utterly delicious. (Also, I happen to have the best roll recipe for you to try if you don't already have one pegged down. It's super easy. You're gonna love it!)

True to form, these dishes also make for a monster heavy meal.

Don't get me wrong. I'll be the first to admit that I love everything about this feast and look forward to it each year. Though I try to be conscious of serving my family healthy food much of the time, I definitely love ALL of the dishes mentioned above... marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes included... and I don't hesitate to dig in on Thanksgiving Day with my family.

But...

(Yes, there's a "but," here.)

To lend some balance, the Thanksgiving table really must have at least ONE dish to counter all that heaviness, thickness, and richness, or the dishes honestly just doesn't taste as good as they could. Everything starts tasting brown after a while.

That's where the salad comes in.

This cranberry apple walnut salad is the perfect dish for the job... a veritable kick in the palate after so much "brown."

I mean, come on... just LOOK at it:

If you need something to cut through the richness of Thanksgiving day, without compromising the fall harvest theme, you really can't go wrong with this dish.

Tender leafy greens, combined with crisp apples, and tart cranberries balanced by walnuts and powerful cheese are a killer combo. Add to that the zing of a lightly sweet and tangy vinaigrette, and you've got yourself the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast. 

Your tummy will thank you. 

Cranberry Apple Walnut Salad
{with Balsamic Apple Vinaigrette}
Printable Version

*Serves 6-8

(Notes: You can use any variety of spring mix greens that you like. I generally use gala apples, and while it's completely unnecessary to the dish, I like to candy my walnuts. I do this by heating a couple Tbsp. of sugar in a pan on low heat till the sugar just barely starts to melt, then I add the walnuts to the pan and coat them. If you do this, be sure to let them cool before you add them to the salad. I use gorgonzola cheese, but it's a very potent cheese... feta might be easier for more people to accept.)


INGREDIENTS
1 5 oz. package Spring Mix greens
2 apples, cored and sliced
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup gorgonzola cheese


VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice


DIRECTIONS
In a blender, add the apple juice, balsamic vinegar, canola oil, salt, sugar, and lemon juice. Blend on a high setting, stopping to scrape the sides with a spoon if needed, until sugar and salt are dissolved, and the vinaigrette is smooth. Pour into desired serving container, and refrigerate while you make the salad.
In a large serving bowl combine the greens, apples slices, walnuts, dried cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese. Gently toss.
Serve immediately with the balsamic apple vinaigrette. Vinaigrette may be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.