Let’s face it, the food in fall and winter is amazing. They’re satisfyingly comforting with warm flavors that bring you back to the good old days with friends and family. That being said, those foods often have less than amazing consequences on our waistlines. The other day I announced to all of you my plan to start working out…but just because I want to get fit doesn’t mean that I’m willing to skimp on holiday flavors. Screw that – I like to eat! So I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to post a healthy recipe for anyone (like me) who wants to experience the lighter side of Thanksgiving and Christmastime. And so this salad was born!
I call it a harvest salad because it’s just that…a salad with a cornucopia of flavors (see what I did there? haha). The leafy baby greens are tossed with sweet cranberries, creamy Gorgonzola cheese, and earthy pumpkin seeds. A delicious crumbly crunch comes from the croutons, which contrasts the fresh apple crispness oh-so-nicely. After you drizzle on a little pumpkin vinaigrette, you will be absolutely addicted to this salad. That dressing gives you just the right amount of warmth and acidity to make you lick your lips after every bite. You can really taste the pumpkin!
My parents couldn’t wait to dig in when they got home from work yesterday. The great part about a salad is that you can add a little bit more or less of each ingredient to customize it. My mom likes extra croutons, I like extra cranberries. Play around! Try it out…feel free to even add some chicken or salmon to make it a full meal, it will taste phenomenal.
**Either dice or slice the apples. I like them sliced, but my mom likes it diced…so do whatever is easiest for you!**
10 oz mixed greens
1 apple (sliced thinly or diced)
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (shelled)
2 oz Gorgonzola (crumbled)
4 cups large multigrain croutons
Pumpkin vinaigrette, to taste
In a large bowl, toss all of the ingredients together.
Drizzle with desired amount of pumpkin vinaigrette.
Serve and enjoy!
4 comments
Jen says:
Dec 3, 2012
My favorite is definitely adding salmon to salads! I actually went to an italian restaurant this past weekend and had the best salmon I’ve had in a really long time. So good! Now I just have to figure out how to cook it!
Stephen says:
Dec 3, 2012
You’ll have to take me there and maybe we can recreate the recipe!
britt says:
Dec 2, 2012
dan says come over and make this for us!
Stephen says:
Dec 3, 2012
Haha okay. Let me know when!