Apple Blood Orange Salad with Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Gluten-free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan option available

If you love a crisp, refreshing salad with all of your favorite winter seasonal fruits, look no further than this delicious Apple Blood Orange Salad with Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette!

Combining the sweetness of fresh apples, blood oranges, and pomegranate with aromatic cinnamon pecans and savory goat cheese, this salad makes the perfect side dish for your winter season gatherings.

Apple Blood Orange Salad with Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

What you’ll need:

Salad Ingredients -

• 5oz container Spring Mix lettuce (with arugula)

• 1 apple (I chose a local Lucy Rose for the beautiful pink flesh color!), thinly sliced

• 2 blood oranges, peel removed and sliced⠀

• 4 oz pomegranate seeds

• 2 oz honey goat cheese, crumbled (or vegan feta)

• 1/2 cup halved pecans

• 2 tsp coconut oil

• 1 Tbsp coconut sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Dressing Ingredients -

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup

• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard

• 1 tsp coconut sugar

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• Dash of sea salt

What to do:

1. Add all dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined. Set aside.

2. In a small pan on the stove over low heat, add coconut oil and pecans. Once coconut oil is melted, sprinkle with cinnamon and coconut sugar and toss. Toast pecans for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until there is a nutty aroma in the air. Set aside to cool.

3. Use a pairing knife to peel the blood oranges and a serrated knife to slice them into thin rounds.

4. Slice the apple into thin slices, core and seeds removed.

5. In a larger serving bowl, add spring mix, sliced apples, sliced blood orange, and pomegranate seeds.

6. Crumble 2oz of honey goat cheese on top.

7. Top with toasted cinnamon pecans.

8. Toss salad with Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette just before serving.

I hope you enjoy this refreshing winter salad! If you are dairy-free and/or vegan, you can sub the goat cheese for a dairy-free feta alternative.

Be sure to tag me @captured.cravings if you make this recipe.

xoxo

Danielle Webb