Apple, Dried Cherry, and Pecan Salad With Maple Dressing

swissms's Note:

Adapted from recipe from Mountain Town Station Brewing Company and Steakhouse in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Original recipe published in Bon Appetit, September 2002. Great salad for the holidays. Very easy but impressive. Dried cranberries can be substituted for the dried cherries. Also good with glazed or spiced pecans. Pears would also be good in place of apples. For a less creamy dressing, reduce or elimate sour cream and increase vinegar and oil.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

Maple Dressing

• ¼ cup sour cream (original recipe used mayonnaise)
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (original recipe used Champagne or white wine vinegar)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• salt and pepper , to taste

Salad

• 1 (5 ounce) bag mixed baby greens (about 10 cups lightly packed)
• 2 granny smith apples , peeled, cored, cut into matchstick-size strips
• ½ cup dried tart cherry
• ½ cup chopped pecans , toasted (original recipe used walnuts)

Directions:

1. For dressing:.
2. Whisk sour cream, maple syrup, vinegar, and sugar in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil until mixture thickens slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewhisk before using.)
3. For salad:.
4. Toss greens, apples, cherries, and 1/4 cup pecans in large bowl to combine. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Divide salad equally among plates. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans and serve.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Another recipe that I cut in half for the 2 of us, & I did serve the dressing on the side, mostly because I most often use considerably less than does my other half, & that suited both of us! Other than that, the recipe was made & given, & we very happy with the flavor combo! I especially liked the cherries, apples & nuts, AND another time I'd like to use glazed nuts, as I think the sweetness would make a nice addition ~ That's my sweet tooth showing through, again! [Made & rev8ewed in 1-2-3 Hits Tag]

[Brooke the Cook in WI]

This was a beautiful addition to Christmas dinner - my healthful guests really enjoyed it! As for me, any salad with dried cherries and green apples rates high on my charts. I served the dressing on the side since there was a good chance of leftovers.

[~Nimz~]

This was a good salad combination for use but we didn't care for the Maple Dressing that much. Will make this again but with a different dressing. Made for PRMR :)