Description
A vibrant and hearty Roasted Apple Salad featuring crisp turkey bacon, caramelized shallot vinaigrette, toasted pecans, and tangy blue cheese, perfect for a flavorful and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 12 oz raw sliced turkey bacon
- 1 ¼ lbs thinly sliced gala apples
- 1 cup pecans
- 5 oz mixed greens
- Fresh arugula (approx. 2 cups)
- 6 oz crumbled blue cheese
- ¼ cup raisins
Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Bake Turkey Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the raw sliced turkey bacon on a sheet pan and bake for about 25 minutes until crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside, keeping the rendered fat on the pan for the next steps.
- Roast Apples: Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (218°C). Using the same sheet pan, spread the thinly sliced gala apples evenly and roast for 15 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Toast Pecans: Place a skillet over medium heat and add the turkey bacon fat reserved from baking. Toast the pecans in the skillet until fragrant and slightly darker in color, about 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Shallot Vinaigrette: In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté the thinly sliced shallots over medium heat until caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and apple cider vinegar, then simmer briefly for 1-2 minutes until combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, fresh arugula, roasted apples, toasted pecans, crisp turkey bacon (chopped), crumbled blue cheese, and raisins. Drizzle the caramelized shallot vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use gala apples or any sweet apple variety for best flavor in roasting.
- If turkey bacon fat is insufficient for toasting pecans, supplement with a little olive oil.
- For a vegetarian version, omit turkey bacon and increase pecans or add roasted chickpeas for protein.
- Blue cheese can be substituted with feta or goat cheese if preferred.
- Serve this salad as a standalone meal or a hearty side dish.
