Apple, Pecan and Gorgonzola Salad with Honey Mustard Balsamic Vinaigrette

May 25th, 2010 by katie

I LOVE this salad.  I could eat this salad combination for lunch or dinner, alone or as a starter.  It is an absolutely fabulous, luxurious salad-and that’s not often said about a salad.  Everyone, in fact, loves this salad.  Even those who don’t like blue cheese.  Or don’t like pecans.  Or don’t like salad.

I bought my candied pecans but if your store doesn’t sell them (or doesn’t sell tasty, crunchy ones) you can make them yourself, any candied or sweet nut will work (in fact, candied walnuts would be wonderful).  Also if you aren’t a big blue cheese fan, I suggest getting the Gorgonzola-it is much milder than your typical blue cheese. 

Apple, Pecan and Gorgonzola Salad

serves 4, prep 10 min
  • 1 large granny smith apple
  • 1 wedge of lemon or lime, about 1 tsp juice
  • 8-10 cups loose baby greens
  • 1/4-1/2 cup vinaigrette
  • 1 cup candied pecans, crushed
  • 1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese
  1. Chop your granny smith apple into thin match sticks.
  2. In a small bowl or sandwich bag, add 1 tbsp of water.  Squeeze a lemon or lime wedge into the water. Add apple sticks to the water as you chop to keep them from turning brown.
  3. In a large salad bowl, toss greens with enough dressing to coat.  Start with 1/4 cup and increase as desired.
  4. Portion salad into individual bowls or plates.
  5. Arrange 1/4 of apples, pecans, and cheese over the top of each plate of greens.
  6. Serve.

This is a great vinaigrette.  Don’t be fooled by the name, it isn’t very sweet or mustardy.  I find it is just tangy and sweet enough for my tastes and goes really well with almost any salad combination.  It would go great on this strawberry salad or this salad or this one, as well.

Honey Mustard Balsamic Vinaigrette

makes a little over 1 cup of dressing, prep 10 min
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  1. Combine all ingredients in a small, lidded jar, shake vigorously to combine.

Posted in Easy, Fast, Salads, Things I Love

15 Responses

  1. Miko's Girl
    May 25th, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Yummo!!!

  2. Lea Ann
    May 25th, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    I just flat out love salads. This one is a keeper and can’t wait to give it a try.

  3. sweetbird
    May 25th, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    Right before I clicked over from Facebook I was like, if those pecans are candied I’m driving to Katie’s house tonight to eat this salad. And then they were.

    See you soon! 😉

  4. DailyChef
    May 25th, 2010 at 5:43 pm

    This is my kind of salad! I might add some pear too, but the candied pecans are my favorite 🙂

  5. Nishta
    May 26th, 2010 at 8:00 am

    holy mackerel this is EXACTLY what I want to be eating right now. Katie, do you deliver?

  6. alexandra
    May 26th, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Yes, I could eat this for lunch, dinner, and, at the moment, breakfast as well. It looks so fresh and delectable!

  7. Val
    June 10th, 2010 at 11:58 am

    * DROOL *

  8. Michelle
    July 4th, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    this looks fantastic. wish i could have some right now!

  9. Jun Indochine Kitchen
    July 5th, 2010 at 12:54 am

    I am a big fan of balsamic vinegar. I would love to try making the vinaigrette. That is a great looking picture too

  10. Kristina
    January 31st, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    this salad is so freaking amazing. i’ve made the dressing 2 times in the past month and i always have it with the salad made 100% the way it is in the recipe. it knocks my socks off…seriously! if i want to add a little more bulk to it…i’ll toss in a few pieces of chicken breast that i’ve cooked up with just a bit of salt and pepper sprinkled on. so so so good! THANK YOU! 🙂

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cha·os -noun 1. a condition or place of great disorder or confusion. My chaotic kitchen is the result of three kids, two adults, dog, cat, and fish, a food obsession, a wine drinking hobby, and too few hours in the day. Between trying to feed a family of five healthy, happy meals, watching my weight, saving my pennies, and staying partially sane I have picked up a few tricks along the way. So here they are: the very best tips, tricks, and recipes from my chaotic kitchen-to yours!

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