I know we haven't quite reached spring yet, but I'm still craving salads. It's so bright and sunny outside and the daylight is around much longer. I feel I can finally throw off winter.
On a sunny day, it's actually quite warm up here in Scotland. I went without my coat one lunchtime this week. Of course those of you further south in, let's say London, will be reaching for thick scarves and gloves and chittering a little, but we're a hardy bunch up here in bonnie Scotland.
Apple, Beet and Pecan Salad
This salad was particularly fresh.
Crisp slices of apple, a mixture of green salad leaves and peppery rocket, crunchy pecans and refreshing slices of cucumber finished off with pickled baby beets for a little piquancy and a drizzle of agave (or honey) and mustard dressing.
Have I got your attention yet?
Apples in Salad
I realised the other day that I don't include a lot of fruit in my salads. This one features apple and I often include pear, but I rarely go beyond that.
So in the coming months I'd like to try and include more fruit in my salads, either the salad itself or in the dressing. If I forget, please give me a nudge and say I thought you were going to start getting fruity with your salads Jac. I don't have the best memory.
Today I'll leave you the recipe for this a-little-bit fruity salad.
pin it for later
Apple, Beet and Pecan Salad
A delicious spring salad of apples, beets and pecans with a honey (or agave) and mustard dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 red apple
- a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- 100g salad leaves, including rocket
- 2 - 3 spring onions, finely sliced
- 6 pickled baby beets, halved
- 12 slices cucumber
- a handful of pecans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1 - 2 tsp agave (or honey) add 1 tsp then taste
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- a grinding of black pepper
Instructions
1. Slice the apple thinly in full circles, then toss in lemon juice to prevent discolouring.2. Whisk up the olive oil, vinegar, agave (or honey), mustard and black pepper.3. Layer up your salad, leaves, spring onion, cucumber, apple slices, beets. Sprinkle with pecans and drizzle with dressing.4. Enjoy!
Details
Total time:
Yield: Serves 2
If you like hearty salads, try my Bulgur, Couscous and Puy Lentil Salad.
3 glorious things! Apples, beets, and pecans! All such naturally sweet flavors, love it! xo
ReplyDeleteYes and they work really well together.
DeleteBeautiful salad, Jacqueline!
ReplyDeleteThanks Aimee :)
DeleteWe had salad this weekend, first time I've really felt like it for a while. Love the combination you have created and anything with pecan nuts in it is hit with me!
ReplyDeleteI know it's definitely been soup weather lately Janice. And yes pecans are so tasty.
DeleteIt's actually sunny and allllmost warm today! So a salad sounds lovely. Love that this one still feels nice and hearty from the walnuts and beetroot - perfect when the weather can't make its mind up :)
ReplyDeleteI think a salad needs to be hearty if it's a main meal. I have to admit beetroot goes into a lot of my salads.
DeleteThis looks glorious Jacqueline, I've had walnut in salad but never pecans so would love to try this:-)
ReplyDeleteThey are great in salads Camilla, you should definitely try it.
DeleteBeaufitul and colored salad!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Thanks Manu and happy Sunday to you too :)
DeleteYum!! I LOVE nuts in my salad. Gotta have a crunch!
ReplyDeleteIt does make a difference :)
DeleteI'm loving this flavour combination... your salad looks so good and healthy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Margot.
DeleteThis looks so vibrant and fresh and I love the inclusion of pecans. Love apple in my salads, but they've got to be cored.
ReplyDeleteAh you wuss ;) And yes the pecans are good Choclette.
DeleteHaha, I'm taking that one on the chin :)
DeleteHehe, You could cut in and just snip out the middle. hardly anything there :) ps I don't own a corer lol!
DeleteI love salads with beet, but not pickled. I've made a similar salad and must say it tastes awesome and is a tummy filler.
ReplyDeleteI love all beetroot, pickled, raw or roasted. Yum!
DeleteSounds good, although I'm still into my comfort food for winter, despite being down south! I'll save this one for later
ReplyDeleteStill on soups then. Yes I think we are getting slightly better temperatures at the moment.
DeleteGorgeous photos of the salad - sounds delicious - I love fruit in salads but don't do it much either - good luck with increasing your fruit in salads - might inspire me if you post some
ReplyDeleteThanks Johanna, I am going to give it a go anyway.
DeleteI love putting apples in my salads. This is such a lovely combination of ingredients.
ReplyDeleteMe too Linda and thanks :)
DeleteYou've made me crave a salad now! It looks delicious. I love the apple pecan combo and the addition of the beets. All those lovely flavours and textures are lovely :O)
ReplyDeleteHehe, sorry about that.
DeleteI just love beets, and especially love them in salad. I think this sounds great paired with the apples & cucumbers! So refreshing and delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia.
DeleteWhat a great combo, Jacqueline! Looks so delicious and I love beets in salads!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMe too Sina, I'm a big lover of beets in all their gorgeous forms.
DeleteWow! Definitely have to try this, I am obsessed with pecans at the moment, best food ever! ! Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteThey are rather good. I don't eat them that often actually. I bought them with salad in mind.
DeleteI love the flavours you've put together here Jac... a bit of sweetness and lots of crunch - that's just how I like my salads. It's sunny but still chilly down here in Whitley Bay... but we still managed to sit outside and eat our lunch yesterday which felt novel! I think I'll try your salad combo on a nice warm jacket potato :-)
ReplyDeleteLunch outside, fabulous. I bet that was great and cheered you all up no end. No skip the baked potato Katie, be brave!
DeleteLooks lovely, apple and beets are my favourite. I could eat beetroot everyday in fact.
ReplyDeleteMe too Ren. I do eat rather a lot of it.
DeleteYummy looking salad! I've never had beets and apples together, sounds like a lovely combo especially with some buttery pecans.
ReplyDeleteIt works really well together Brie. It would be great with raw or roasted beets too.
DeleteWhat a lovely salad Jac. I get quite lazy with my daily salad for lunch - this would certainly brighten things up.
ReplyDeleteHope you give it a go then Stuart :)
DeleteIt is looking so beautiful. Honey is my favorite in all dishes because I like the yummy taste of honey. Moreover, it is very nice sharing keep sharing more salad recipes. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty colourful salad! I usually mix beets with walnuts in salads, must try pecans too.
ReplyDelete