Fall

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Lettuce Leaf Salad

by:
November 13, 2009
5
1 Ratings
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Lettuce Leaf Salad
  • Serves 4-6 as an appetizer
Author Notes

Rarely do I ever follow a recipe word for word; usually I take inspiration, from restaurant dishes, magazines, and cookbooks. In Food & Wine Magazine, last month I believe, there was a recipe for Lemony Waldorf Salad. So . . . I started thinking, and this recipe is what I ended up with. Not very similar at all to the original, but still I must give credit to Food & Wine for getting my creative juices flowing. Many different cheeses were on my mind when trying this salad out at home: blue, Israeli feta, cheddar . . . though I settled on Manouri, which is made from the whey left after the feta-making process. It is mild, but has a pleasant saltiness. It has a similar mouthfeel to ricotta. Feel free to substitute one of the cheeses I mentioned above. —Leslie B

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Apple Cider Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup mild extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons tart apple cider
  • 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • Salad
  • 6 ounces baby romaine/baby spinach mix
  • 8 ounces fennel, sliced paper thin on a mandolin
  • 8 ounces tart apple, sliced paper thin on a mandolin
  • 1 cup sliced grapes
  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted
  • 5 ounces Manouri cheese, crumbled
Directions
  1. Apple Cider Vinaigrette
  2. Place the first 5 ingredients in a mason jar (or other "shakeable" jar with lid) and shake vigorously.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Give one last shake . . . VOILA!
  5. Pour half of the vinaigrette in the bottom of your serving bowl and reserve the remaining half.
  1. Salad
  2. Slice fennel on a mandolin and toss with a bit of the reserved vinaigrette.
  3. Place the walnuts in a saute pan over medium heat, tossing frequently to prevent burning. When the nuts are fragrant and a golden brown, remove from the heat and let cool.
  4. Add lettuce, fennel, apple, grapes, and walnuts to your serving bowl, and toss gently with the vinaigrette.
  5. Drizzle in additional vinaigrette and toss again if necessary.
  6. Top with crumbled Manouri.
  7. Serve immediately.
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3 Reviews

Jara
Jara November 10, 2014
Love this dressing. It was great on a spinach salad.
 
ANGEL1070
ANGEL1070 November 14, 2009
Love the name of the salad. I am excited to try it. Thank you!
 
Leslie B.
Leslie B. November 17, 2009
Angel. Thank You! I was sitting in front of my computer, inputting the ingredients . . . still having no definite name for my salad. I was trying to think of a "Fall" name, but fall being a season. Ha Ha! I like it. I like it. Thank you so much for the compliment. I hope you enjoy the salad as much as I do.