Description
Crisp Granny Smith apples dance with candied walnuts in this refreshing apple salad, blending sweet and tangy flavors. Creamy dressing and fresh herbs elevate this simple dish, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large Honeycrisp apples, cubed
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
Dressing and Sweeteners:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 lemon, juiced
Nuts and Dried Fruit:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Gently toss cubed apples with freshly squeezed lemon juice to halt oxidation, ensuring a crisp and vibrant appearance.
- Whisk mayonnaise and brown sugar in a small mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency that will serve as the salad’s creamy binding agent.
- Combine chopped apples, diced celery, halved grapes, roughly chopped pecans, and dried cranberries in a spacious mixing vessel, using a light folding technique to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the fruit and nut mixture, carefully stirring to guarantee each component is thoroughly coated with the sweet, tangy sauce.
- Refrigerate the completed salad for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while chilling the dish to a refreshing temperature.
Notes
- Keep apples crisp by using tart, firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp which hold their shape and provide a satisfying crunch.
- Customize the salad by swapping pecans with walnuts or almonds for different nutty flavors and added nutrition.
- Make the recipe lighter by substituting mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a tangy, protein-rich alternative that reduces calories.
- Enhance texture and freshness by adding diced green onions or chopped mint leaves just before serving for an unexpected flavor boost.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 268
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg