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Crispy Autumn Chopped Salad with Candied Pecans

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A rustic and textured chopped salad featuring massaged kale, roasted squash, tart apples, and crunchy candied pecans, all tossed in a sharp apple cider vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
  • 2 cups mixed baby spinach
  • 1 head red cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 cup pecan halves, raw
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple, diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or crumbled
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • 1/2 cup pecans (for candying)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Once bubbling, add pecans and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until coated and fragrant.
  2. Immediately pour candied pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Let cool completely until hard, then break into smaller pieces.
  3. Wash and dry kale and spinach. Remove tough stems from kale and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces. Massage kale with a pinch of salt and olive oil for one minute to tenderize.
  4. Shred red cabbage and dice the apple. Toss cabbage and apple into a large mixing bowl with the kale and spinach.
  5. In a small jar or bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
  6. Add dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, cheddar cheese, and broken candied pecans to the salad bowl.
  7. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Serve immediately.

Notes

Massage the kale with oil and salt to reduce bitterness and tough texture. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to maintain crunch. Candied pecans can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container. Do not reheat this salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: autumn salad, candied pecans, chopped salad, kale salad, fall recipe, apple cider vinaigrette, healthy side dish, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/crispy-autumn-chopped-salad-best-easy-side-dish/