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Autumn Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad

A delightful blend of crisp apples, chewy cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a zesty maple mustard dressing. Perfect for fall!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • to taste Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa cooled to room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped apples Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji recommended
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese can use feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Equipment

  • small bowl or jar
  • Large Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Prepare the Maple Mustard Dressing.
  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside.
Combine the Salad Ingredients.
  1. In a large bowl, combine the fresh spinach leaves, cooked quinoa (ensure it's cooled to room temperature to prevent wilting the spinach), chopped apples, dried cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and chopped walnuts. Gently toss until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Dress and Serve.
  1. Drizzle the prepared maple mustard dressing over the salad. Toss again to ensure everything is lightly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately and enjoy the symphony of fall flavors!

Notes

Toast walnuts for enhanced flavor and crunch. Cook quinoa ahead and cool completely. Chop ingredients uniformly for an even bite. Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Using a mix of apple varieties can add complexity.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.