Description
A vibrant harvest salad featuring roasted vegetables, crisp apples, toasted pecans, and creamy goat cheese, all brought together with a bright lemon thyme vinaigrette. This recipe offers balanced flavor and texture for cooler weather meals.
Ingredients
- Salad: 4 cups arugula
- Salad: 1 cup kale, stems removed and chopped
- Salad: 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- Salad: 3 large carrots, sliced
- Salad: 1/2 red apple, diced
- Salad: 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- Salad: 1/2 cup pecans
- Salad: 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Salad: 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
- Dressing: 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Dressing: 1 clove garlic, minced
- Dressing: Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Dressing: 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Dressing: 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- Dressing: 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- Dressing: 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Dressing: 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Dressing: 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread sweet potatoes and carrots on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes until tender and lightly browned. Cool completely.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup and toss to coat. Remove from heat and cool.
- Make the dressing: Combine Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, thyme, salt, and pepper in a jar or bowl. Add olive oil and shake or whisk until emulsified and glossy.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, layer arugula, kale, roasted vegetables, diced apple, goat cheese, toasted pecans, and mint leaves.
- Dress and toss: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 10 minutes.
Notes
- For the best texture, add the dressing just before serving to maintain crisp greens.
- Store leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting and Assembling
- Cuisine: American