fall salad — Blog — Amanda Warren

Many years ago, while dining at a restaurant in California I had the most delicious salad with a warm dressing. Although this isn't the most common dressing presentation, it was a wonderful surprise and one I always think about come the fall months. So, this is my take on that delightful salad made at home. The star of the dish is a warm shallot dressing that marries all the flavors together, adding a comforting, savory touch perfect for the cooler seasons. Fresh spinach leaves provide a nutritious base, packed with vitamins and a subtle earthiness that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Thinly sliced apples bring a hint of natural sweetness and a satisfying crunch, balancing out the richness of the dressing. The contrast of textures and flavors creates a delightful experience. Additionally, chopped pistachios add an irresistible crunch to the texture and a burst of nutty flavor. This combination makes the salad not only delectable but also nourishing, adding an elegant yet simple touch to your fall meals.

A great salad is all about the right ingredients, and this Spinach Fall Salad is no exception. These are the key components you will need. The base of the salad, providing vibrant green color and nutritional benefits, such as vitamins A and C with the fresh spinach. Warm shallot dressing adds the rich, savory flavor that elevates the simple ingredients into a gourmet dish. The crisp apples bring a sweet and tangy crunch, adding both texture and an autumnal flair to the salad. Crunchy pistachios offer a nutty taste and additional crunch, enriching the salad’s overall texture and making each bite exciting. The salad is ultimately topped off with creamy goat cheese crumbles for a perfect balance.

Spinach Salad Dressing

The spinach walnut salad dressing can make or break a salad, and this warm shallot dressing is nothing short of amazing. It enhances every bite of fresh spinach, apples, and pistachios, making each forkful a delightful experience. The shallot, when sautéed and combined with apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey, offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet. The star of the show are the finely diced shallots that are sauté until translucent to create a fragrant base. The apple cider vinegar adds a tangy kick to the dressing. My favorite Dijon mustard will provide depth and a slightly zesty flavor. Sweet honey balances the acidity with its sweetness, and you can also switch out the honey for maple syrup to create even more fall flavors. The beauty of this dressing lies in its simplicity and in the way it brings all the ingredients together seamlessly. It is easy to prepare and adds a nice comforting touch to the salad.

Possible Recipe Variations

While the classic combination of spinach, apples, and pistachios is perfect, you can always get creative with this salad. Experimenting with these variations allows you to create a personalized version of the salad that suits your taste and dietary preferences. Here are some versatile options:

- Swap pistachios for walnuts or pecans: Adds a different nutty crunch.

- Incorporate seasonal fruits like pears or pomegranate seeds: For a tailored taste to those fruits.

- Add protein such as grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu: To make it a heartier dish.

- Use goat cheese or feta: For a creamy, tangy complement to the salad's flavors.

- Experiment with different greens: Such as arugula or kale for varied textures and tastes.

- Add-ins: As always, a salad can be adaptable by adding in your favorites like dried cranberries or pomegranate arils. Feel free to experiment.

You can substitute pistachios with another type of nut in the Spinach Fall Salad. Walnuts provide a richer, earthier taste, perfect for autumn dishes. Pecans offer a buttery, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the warm shallot dressing. Almonds add a subtle, sweet crunch that complements the apples and spinach. Toasting the nuts before adding them to the salad enhances their flavor. Consider any allergy concerns or dietary preferences when choosing a substitute. Ultimately, using your favorite nuts can personalize the salad to suit your taste perfectly.

Choosing the right type of apple can make a big difference in the taste and texture of your salad. Honeycrisp or Fuji varieties are firm and crisp, perfect for a balanced texture and flavor. Granny Smith adds a delightful tart contrast to the sweet ingredients in the salad. Avoid overly soft apples like Red Delicious, as they can become mushy and lose their distinct sweetness. Mixing two types of apples can enhance the complexity and depth of the salad's taste profile. Vibrant red or green apples add visual appeal, making the salad more attractive.

What to Serve with Spinach Salad

To elevate your meal experience even further, pair your spinach salad with other delightful dishes. Options that go well for protein are grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp. These all add a satisfying protein boost and elevate the meal's heartiness. Serve alongside a slice of warm, crusty bread or a fresh baguette to soak up the delicious warm shallot dressing. Complement the flavors with a variety of cheeses such as goat cheese, feta, or shaved parmesan for a creamy addition. A bowl of butternut squash soup or a hearty lentil soup can accompany the salad, providing comfort and warmth on a cool fall day. Finish your meal with a light, autumn-inspired dessert like an apple crisp or a spiced pear tart to keep the seasonal theme intact. These pairings can create a harmonious and satisfying dining experience, making the Spinach Fall Salad even more memorable.

Is This Salad Suitable for Making Ahead of Time?

The Spinach Fall Salad with warm shallot dressing, apples, and pistachios can be prepared ahead of time, making it convenient for busy schedules. To retain the salad's freshness, store the warm shallot dressing separately and add it just before serving. Toss the apples in a bit of lemon juice or add them just before serving to prevent browning. Keep the pistachios aside until the last minute to ensure they remain crunchy and delicious, and don't get soft. Preparing these components ahead of time and combining them just before serving ensures the salad remains fresh and the spinach leaves crisp. This make-ahead capability makes the salad an excellent choice for gatherings, potlucks, or meal planning.

This Spinach Fall Salad with warm shallot dressing, apples, and pistachios is a delightful and nourishing dish that incorporates ingredients that are the essence of the fall season. Whether enjoyed as a light lunch or as part of a larger meal, the combination of fresh spinach, crisp apples, and nutty pistachios, all tied together with a warm, savory dressing is sure to please your palate. Incorporating various add-ins and pairing options can further personalize your dining experience to your own tailored tastes. Embrace the flavors of the season and transform your meals with this irresistible spinach fall salad with warm shallot dressing, apples and pistachios!

Ingredients

10 -12 cups spinach

2 small apples

4 oz crumbled goat cheese

2 cups pistachios

Dressing:

1 tablespoon butter

2 shallots, diced

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/3 cup olive oil

sea salt & fresh ground pepper

Instructions

Make The Dressing. Add butter to pan, a pinch of sea salt and sauté your diced shallot until caramelized. Add in honey, dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. Let simmer for 30 seconds while ingredients marry together. Turn off oven and add in olive oil, whisky as you do. Add in sea salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a container to serve dressing on the side of the salad. You want the dressing warm not hot where it will wilt the spinach. So let cool slightly while assembling the salad.
Assemble the salad. Add together in a large bowl spinach, sliced apples, goat cheese and pistachios. I like to add half of the apples goat cheese and pistachios, then add the other half after plating. For this salad you will want to add dressing right before serving so you can do so not and then plate or you can serve small dressings to each of your guests depending on how you are serving. After adding dressing add to plate and add additional toppings. Serve and enjoy!

Other Salad Recipes You Will Enjoy:

Delicious, Nutritious Pear & Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

How to Make the Perfect Pear and Pomegranate Arugula Salad

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

The Perfect Summer Meal: Grilled Chicken, Mexican Street Corn & Cucumber Salad

Savory Italian Chopped Salad Jar Recipe: A Symphony of Flavors in Every Bite

Discover the Delightful Twist of Sweet Kale Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A Taste of the Southwest: Southwestern Chop Salad Recipe

This pear and walnut salad with honey mustard dressing is an easy and delicious salad to make. This is my take on one of my Mom and I's favorite local hometown restaurants. We've ordered a similar salad to this for lunch together more times than I can count. This salad is the perfect way to get your daily dose of greens and vitamins while still satisfying your sweet tooth. The combination of crunchy caramelized walnuts, sweet pears, and tangy honey mustard dressing make this salad an impressive yet simple dish to prepare. Plus, the ingredients are all easy to find and affordable. So, if you're looking for a flavorful and nutritious salad, look no further than this pear and walnut salad with honey mustard dressing. You can add some grilled chicken or salmon to the salad to make it a more complete and filling meal. This pear and walnut salad with honey mustard dressing is a great way to enjoy the flavors of Fall. Being full of nutrition-packed ingredients and delicious flavor combinations, this meal is sure to become a regular in your rotation, especially on those days when you're feeling like you need a healthier option.

Can I Use a Different Cheese or Nuts?

Of course! You don’t have to use feta cheese as I did, so you can experiment with different cheeses to create your favorite unique flavor. Consider using a sharp cheddar for a tangy kick, or a creamy goat cheese for a salty flavor. You can also try blue cheese or gorgonzola for a pungent flavor, or brie for a buttery taste. Have fun with it and find the cheese that best suits your salad. To top it off, a honey mustard dressing is a great way to bring all the flavors together.

Another substitution choice for this salad is changing out the nut that you use for that amazing crunch. I personally love the mix of walnuts and pears, however, you can use pecans or hazelnuts here as well.

What Type of Pear is Best?

Anjou pears are the perfect choice for a pear and walnut salad. This variety of pear is sweet and juicy, adding a delicious sweetness to the dish. Bosc pears are also a good option, as their firm texture and honey-like flavor bring a great depth to the salad. Bartlett pears are great for salads, as their mild sweetness will be balanced out nicely by the tartness of the dressing. Comice pears are a great choice as well, as their buttery texture and sweet flavor will perfectly complement the honey mustard dressing. Lastly, Seckel pears are the ideal choice for a pear and walnut salad, as their sweet flavor and crisp texture will provide a great contrast to the crunchy walnuts. With such an array of pears to choose from, you're sure to create an amazing salad that everyone will love!

How to tell when pears are ripe?

First, look for pears that are slightly soft to the touch and avoid pears that are firm and have green tints. The best pears for this dish will have a rich yellow or golden color. To test for ripeness, tap the pear lightly with your finger and if it yields to pressure then it is ripe. Additionally, smell the pear near the stem; if it has a sweet, fragrant smell, it is ripe. Lastly, test for ripeness by gently pressing the neck of the pear with your thumb; if it yields slightly, the pear is ripe. With these tips, you can easily find the perfect pear to make your pear & walnut salad with honey mustard dressing.

Ingredients

10 ounces of mixed greens

1/2 cup caramelized walnuts

1/3 cup thinly sliced red onions

1 tomato sliced

1/2 cup feta cheese

2 thinly sliced pears

Dressing

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons raw honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 cup mayonnaise or extra virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Rinse and pat dry all fruit and vegetables. Sliced pears thinly, onions into strips and tomatoes into thin wedges.

2. Add all dressing ingredients into a mixer or mason jar and shake until smooth. This dressing can be premade in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days ahead of time.

3. Now it's time to assemble the pear and walnut salad with honey mustard. Add half the onions, half the feta cheese, and half of the thinly sliced pears. Pour dressing over top and mix up! Dish out salad in a single layer onto plates and then layer the remainder of the pears and onions on top. Sprinkle feta cheese and add tomato wedges on the side and serve!

This salad is also a great way to get a healthy dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Pears are a great source of fiber, walnuts are high in antioxidants, and honey mustard dressing adds a nice touch of sweetness. Plus, the walnuts provide a nice crunchy texture to the salad. Whether you're having this as a shareable appetizer, a light lunch or a full-course dinner, this salad is a great way to add a variety of flavors and textures to your meal. It's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table! So why not give it a try and see for yourself just how delicious this Honey Mustard, Pear and Walnut Salad can be?