Cranberry, Apple and Cashew Salad

 

Creating a salad with lettuce, dried cranberries, cashews, apples, and poppyseed dressing is a delightful way to enjoy a mix of flavors and textures that are both refreshing and satisfying.

 

My mom used to make this salad for all our family gatherings, and it was always a hit! She would make mix the salad in a bowl and lightly coat it with dressing until it was time to eat. The rest of the dressing she left in a mason jar (that way all she had to do was shake the jar to mix the dressing before she poured it on the salad). Then she would pour the rest of the dressing on the salad, toss it and serve it.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

 

 

Ingredients for the salad:

  • 4 cups of fresh lettuce (such as romaine, butter, or mixed greens), washed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup of dried red onion
  • 1/2 cup of cashews, toasted
  • 1 large apple, Diced or thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)

 

Ingredients for the poppyseed dressing:

  • 1 1/2 cup of oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¾ cup vinegar
  • 1 34 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

 

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Salad:
    • Begin by thoroughly washing and drying the lettuce. Chop it into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl.
    • Add the dried cranberries and toasted cashews to the bowl with the lettuce and the diced apples. If you sliced the apples you may to arrange them on the top of the salad for a decorative touch.
  2. Add the Dressing:
    • Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad. Start with a small amount and add more if needed, to suit your taste preferences.
    • Toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  3. Serve:
    • Serve the salad immediately to maintain the freshness of the ingredients. It's perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner.
    • If you aren’t serving this salad immediately, I suggest adding a small amount of dressing to coat the apples, so they don’t start to brown on you. Then add more dressing and mix right before you eat.

This salad is not only visually appealing but also offers a balance of sweet, nutty, and tangy flavors. Plus, it's packed with nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your meal plan. Enjoy!