Green Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Bacon & Maple

Name: Green Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Bacon & Maple
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Quebecois
Ingredients: 5 cups mixed salad greens (washed and dried); 2 apples (cored and thinly sliced); 1/2 cup walnuts (toasted); 4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled); 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)

25 min 4 servings Easy

All Recipes

Green Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Bacon & Maple

A refreshing and flavourful green salad featuring crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, savoury bacon, and a hint of maple syrup.

Prep

15 min

Cook

10 min

Total

25 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

This Green Salad with Apples, Walnuts, Bacon, and Maple is a delightful combination of sweet and savoury. It brings together the crispness of fresh greens and apples with the rich, nutty flavour of walnuts and the smoky goodness of bacon. The addition of maple syrup in the dressing adds a uniquely Canadian twist, making this salad perfect for any occasion, whether it's a family dinner or a festive gathering.

Ingredients

Servings

Salad

Dressing

Instructions

Prepare the greens

In a large salad bowl, add the mixed salad greens.

Pro tip: Ensure greens are dry to prevent the dressing from becoming diluted.

Add apples

Core and slice the apples thinly, then add to the salad bowl.

Pro tip: Use an apple corer for quick and even slices.

Toast the walnuts

Toast the walnuts in a small pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Pro tip: Be careful not to burn the walnuts; they should be golden brown.

Cook the bacon

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble.

Pro tip: For easy crumbling, allow bacon to cool slightly before handling.

Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Pro tip: Adjust seasoning to taste if necessary.

Assemble the salad

Add the toasted walnuts and crumbled bacon to the salad bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Pro tip: Toss the salad gently to keep ingredients intact and evenly coated.

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Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Use fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a tart flavour.</li><li>Toast the walnuts to enhance their flavour and add crunch.</li><li>Cook bacon until crispy for the best texture in the salad.</li><li>Maple syrup should be pure and preferably Canadian for authenticity.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Serve this salad as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled meats or as a light lunch on its own. Pair it with a chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the crisp apple notes. For make-ahead preparation, keep the dressing separate and toss it with the salad just before serving to maintain the freshness of the greens. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.