As the leaves transform into beautiful oranges and golds, it's the perfect time to indulge in the best seasonal meals. One dish that captures the essence of the season is this Maple Bacon Fall Salad, featuring feta, maple walnuts, apples, and crispy shallots. This blog post will guide you through everything you need to know about creating and enjoying the official best fall salad.

Delight in a seasonal blend of flavors with this Autumn Apple Salad featuring a delicious Maple Vinaigrette. This salad combines the rich taste of maple bacon with the creamy texture of feta cheese, offering a delicious experience. As you dig in, the crispness of fresh apples provides a refreshing sweetness, perfectly balanced with the crunch of maple-glazed walnuts. Adding crispy shallots gives this salad an additional layer of texture and flavor, elevating it to new heights. Perfect for the fall season, this salad is a celebration of fresh ingredients that capture the essence of autumn in every bite.

- Rich Maple Bacon: Adds depth and smokiness.

- Creamy Feta Cheese: Offers a tangy, rich flavor.

- Crisp Apples: Brings a refreshing sweetness.

- Maple-Glazed Walnuts: Enhance crunch and flavor.

- Crispy Shallots: Provide an extra crispy texture.

Nutrition

This dish ensures a delightful contrast between crispy maple bacon and tangy feta cheese, complemented by juicy apple slices. Elevate your seasonal salad experience with the addition of caramelized maple walnuts for an extra touch of sweetness and crunch. Perfectly cooked crispy shallots add depth and texture, making this dish both nutritious and indulgent. Together, these wholesome elements celebrate the flavors and produce of fall, offering a balance of nutrients and flavors that come together in a mouthwatering meal. This salad not only caters to your taste buds but also delivers a nutritious meal option that keeps you satisfied long after the last bite.

Harvest Salad Dressing

A harvest salad dressing also enhances fall flavors with a rich, savory profile. This dressing combines the natural sweetness of maple syrup with a nice tanginess, complementing the salad ingredients perfectly. It balances the smokiness of the bacon and the creaminess of the feta cheese, tying together the sweetness of apples and the crunch of maple walnuts beautifully. Every drizzle provides a great finish, elevating the crispy shallots and the salad itself. The dressing is the element that really rounds off the taste, making each bite memorable.

This Maple Bacon Fall Salad is a perfect choice for the fall season, thanks to its unique combination of seasonal flavors. It nicely blends rich, earthy flavors and ingredients like maple walnuts and fresh apples, capturing a bit of autumn in every bite. Beyond the balanced sweet and savory notes, the salad provides a variety of textures, from crunchy walnuts to crisp apples and crispy shallots. It is rich in nutrition, packed with healthy ingredients such as walnuts and apples, offering a health benefit while allowing for indulgence. The salad’s visual appeal, with its bright colors from apples, walnuts, and bacon, makes it a great choice for any autumn gathering or meal. This salad is a celebration of what makes fall the favorite season for many.

How Can I Prepare the Maple Walnuts for the Salad?

Creating maple walnuts for the salad is a pretty straightforward process. Start by toasting walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they're fragrant, ensuring they cook evenly. Then, add a drizzle of maple syrup to the skillet and stir to coat the walnuts thoroughly, enhancing their flavor. To amplify their sweetness, sprinkle brown sugar over to mix with the maple walnuts. Allow the mixture to simmer while stirring constantly until the maple syrup forms a glossy coating on the walnuts. Finally, transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool before adding them to the salad. These simple steps create walnuts that are flavorful, crunchy, and the perfect addition to your fall salad.

Can I Substitute the Feta Cheese With Another Type of Cheese?

Feta cheese can be substituted with other types of cheese in this salad for varied texture and flavor experiences. Consider crumbly cheeses like goat cheese or blue cheese that offer a similar texture. For a milder flavor, ricotta salata or queso fresco make great alternatives to feta. If you prefer something creamier, crumbled gorgonzola can be an excellent choice. For vegans or those who are lactose intolerant, the use of vegan feta or almond-based cheese alternatives works well. Remember that each cheese brings its own unique flavor essence, so don't hesitate to experiment to find your best match. These alternatives easily allow you to customize the salad to your liking while maintaining its rich, complementary flavors.

What Variety of Apples Works Best in This Salad?

Selecting the right variety of apples is important for achieving a balanced flavor in the salad. Crisp and slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are ideal choices as they provide a refreshing contrast to the salty bacon and creamy feta. Their firm texture makes sure each bite offers a satisfying crunch, while their sweet-tart flavor complements the maple walnuts nicely. Consider mixing different apple varieties to add complexity to each bite, elevating the overall salad experience. I personally always love pink lady apples for their sweet never tart taste and beautiful skin. With these apple varieties, your salad not only has nice balanced flavors but also the perfect texture profile that adds to the overall enjoyment.

How Do I Make the Crispy Shallots for the Maple Bacon Fall Salad?

Creating crispy shallots for the Maple Bacon Fall Salad adds more flavor and crunch. Begin by slicing shallots thinly to ensure even crispiness during cooking. Heat them in oil in a pan over medium heat, making sure it's hot enough without getting to the smoking point. Carefully add the sliced shallots into the hot oil and fry them until they turn a golden brown and are crispy. Remove the crispy shallots from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil. To enhance their flavor while still warm, season the crispy shallots with a pinch of salt. These crispy shallots will help to make each bite memorable.

As the air cools and the leaves fall, this apple bacon salad becomes the perfect embodiment of autumn. With its variety of flavors and textures, from the smokiness of bacon to the sweetness of apples and walnuts, it’s a dish that brings warmth and comfort. The crispy shallots and creamy feta keep each bite well balanced and delicious. Whether you're serving this at a fall celebration or enjoying it as a weeknight delight, this salad helps makes the autumn season truly special. So, dive in and enjoy the bounty of fall in every wonderful bite.

Ingredients

10 - 12 cups Mixed Spinach & Arugula Salad

1-2 apples, thinly sliced

2 Shallots

1/2 cup bacon crumbles

4 oz crumbled feta cheese

Salad Dressing:

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 maple syrup

1/4 cup bacon fat, from cooking bacon

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Maple Walnuts:

2 cups walnuts

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

1. Make maple walnuts so they can cool while you prepare rest of salad. First line baking sheet, I use my Jelly Roll Pan from 360 cookware -here-, with parchment paper and set aside. In a pan, I use my 360 cookware 1 quart sauce pan -here-, melt together maple syrup and brown sugar until mixed and bubbling. Add in walnuts and coat. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and separate nuts so they don’t stick together. Let cool.

2. Make the bacon & Shallots. Cook bacon in a large skillet pan until able to easily crumble. Remove bacon and save 1/4 cup of fat for dressing. Leave remaining bacon oil and add additional butter or extra virgin olive oil if needed. Thinly slice shallots and add to heated pan, let cook until they become crispy. Add to a paper towel lined plate.

3.. Make delicious bacon maple salad dressing! Add bacon fat, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, tsp salt, tsp pepper into blender and blend until smooth. Add additional extra virgin olive oil if needed. Taste and add additional seasoning if wanted as well. Place in bowl or dressing dish and set aside for later.

4. Assemble the salad. I like to put in half of the apples, feta cheese, shallots, bacon and candied walnuts add dressing and toss. Once I plate the salad I add a little of each item on the top so you can still see the full colors and toppings! Serve & Enjoy!

Other Delicious Salads to Enjoy:

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

Delicious, Nutritious Pear & Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

The Perfect Match: Grilled Steak & Blue Cheese Salad with Grilled Corn paired with J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

Transform Your Fall Meals with This Irresistible Spinach Salad Featuring A Warm Shallot Dressing, Apples, and Pistachios!

How to Make the Perfect Pear and Pomegranate Arugula Salad

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

Welcome to this culinary delight where the rich, savory flavors of a perfectly grilled juicy steak meet the tangy punch of feta cheese, all piled atop a crisp, golden crostini. In this blog post, we'll take your taste buds on an adventure by marrying the hearty comfort of steak with the sharp, creamy essence of one of Greece's most famous cheeses. Whether you're planning an upscale appetizer for your next dinner party or simply seeking to jazz up your at-home snack game, these steak and feta crostinis promise to be a crowd-pleaser. Join us as we explore the simple yet sophisticated world of creating this mouth-watering combination, where each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors that are sure to leave you craving more.

Bread Alternatives

When making steak and feta crostini, the type of bread used is an important factor to consider. Ciabatta bread is a great option, as it has a slightly chewy texture that helps hold the toppings well. French baguettes are also an excellent choice, as their crisp crust and fluffy interior make them well-suited for crostini. Sourdough bread is a good choice as well, as its slightly tangy flavor helps balance out the savory flavors of the steak and feta. For those looking to add a bit of nutrition to their crostini, whole wheat bread is a great option. Rye bread can be a nice option if you prefer its flavor to the crostini, for those looking to experiment with different flavors. It is important to choose a bread that you like, and one that will complement the flavors of the steak and feta. These are all great options.

Steak Preparation

To make the perfect steak for topping crostini, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and season the steak with salt and pepper. Sear the steak on both sides for 2-4 minutes, or until it’s cooked to your desired doneness. Once the steak is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice the steak against the grain into thin strips. Serve the steak on crostini, along with feta cheese, fresh herbs and other desired toppings. The combination of steak and feta on a crispy crostini is a powerful flavor combination that will tantalize your taste buds.

Cheese Alternatives

If you're looking for an alternative cheese to top your steak and feta crostini, you should consider trying crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola. All of these cheeses provide a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs well with steak and makes a delicious alternative to feta. Goat cheese and blue cheese are milder in flavor than feta, while gorgonzola is a bit stronger but still delicious. Additionally, if you're looking for a more mild cheese, you could opt for a brie or mozzarella. Whichever cheese you choose, you can be sure that your steak and feta crostini will be a delicious and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

1 pound ribeye steak

1 French baguette

3 tablespoons melted Butter

6 oz feta cheese

4 oz Greek yogurt

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2–3 tablespoons water

Salt & pepper, to taste

Basil pesto spread

Instructions

1. Arrange the baguette slices on a large baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides of the bread with melted butter. Place bread under the broiler for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly brown. Briefly set the crostini aside to cool.

2. Pat both sides of the steak with a paper towel. Season with salt and Pepper to taste. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to a heated skillet and add prepped Ribeye steak cooking both sides for three minutes. Remove the steaks to a cutting board and let them rest for 10 minutes before thinly slicing them against the grain.

3. While the steak is resting, make the whipped feta. Add crumbled feta, greek yogurt, olive oil, and water and blend until smooth and well blended. Prepare the crostini by layering bread, feta mixture, a thinly sliced steak, and pesto on top. Serve & enjoy your steak crostini!