Spring Greens with Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 6 cups mixed salad greens (try a combination of baby spinach, and tender spring mix)
• 1 cup fresh apples, chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds or candied walnuts
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
• Optional: 1/4 cup fresh herbs (mint, basil, or dill work beautifully)

For the Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon local honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 small clove garlic, minced or pressed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Toast the nuts: If using plain nuts, toast them lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Set aside to cool.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Alternatively, combine all ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously.)
3. Prepare the greens: Gently wash and dry your salad greens. If you have a salad spinner, it’s perfect for this task. For the most beautiful presentation, tear any large leaves into bite-sized pieces rather than cutting them.
4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens with about half of the apples, red onion, and radishes. Drizzle with about half the dressing and toss gently to coat.
5. Finish and serve: Transfer to a serving dish or individual plates. Top with the remaining apples, red onion, radishes, crumbled cheese, toasted nuts, and fresh herbs if using. Drizzle with the remaining dressing or serve it on the side.

Variations

• Protein boost: Add grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs.
• Summer version: Substitute strawberries for peaches for apples.
• Fall harvest: Add some roasted cubed butternut squash

Tips for the Best Salad

• Use just-picked greens: The fresher your greens, the more flavor and nutrition they’ll have. Farm-fresh greens from Crisp Country Acres will make this salad truly special.
• Keep greens crisp: If preparing ahead, store washed and dried greens with a paper towel in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting.
• Balance the flavors: The perfect salad has a balance of sweet (strawberries), tangy (vinaigrette), creamy (cheese), crunchy (nuts), and peppery (radishes and arugula) elements.