Roasted Apple & Cheddar Salad

From EatingWell: Fall 2004 — Subscribe Now!

Roasted apples and Cheddar cheese turn an ordinary mixed green salad into something extra-special. You can use pears for this recipe as well.

6 servings, 1 1/2 cups each

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

Dressing

3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons apple juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Roasted Apples & Salad

2 , preferably Fuji, peeled and cut into wedges
2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups baby spinach, or torn spinach leaves
3 cups torn Boston lettuce
3 cups torn curly endive
2/3 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F.
To prepare dressing: Whisk vinegar, apple juice, 1 tablespoon oil, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
To roast apples & prepare salad: Toss apples with 2 teaspoons oil and thyme in a medium bowl; spread evenly on a baking sheet. Roast, turning once or twice, until the apples are soft and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard fresh thyme, if using. Let cool.
While the apples are roasting, toast walnuts in a small baking pan until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
Just before serving, combine spinach, lettuce and endive in a large bowl; toss gently to mix. Divide the greens among 6 plates, drizzle with dressing and top with cheese, roasted apples and walnuts. Serve immediately.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate dressing (Step 2) for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Per serving: 191 calories; 14 g fat (4 g sat, 5 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 4 g fiber; 173 mg sodium; 230 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (40% daily value), Folate (15% dv), Fiber (15% dv).

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 high-fat meat, 2 fat