Perfect Holiday Recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas Holiday Honey-Crisp Salad

Recipe by Laura Zavala, fivehearthome.com

Celebrate the holidays by sticking with some healthy holiday habits making fruits and vegetables part of your holiday plate. This salad is full of texture and flavor and will make for a great addition to any holiday gathering with your friends and family.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 2-3 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 3 medium honey-crisp apples, thinly sliced
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 12 oz. of salad greens (ie: spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, baby romaine or a combo of your favorites)
• 1 cup pecan halves, toasted or candied
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
• 4 oz. of crumbled blue cheese, feta or gorgonzola cheese

Instructions:

1. To prepare apple cider vinaigrette, measure oil, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper into a medium bowl and briskly whisk together.
2. Place apple slices in a large plastic baggie and squeeze the fresh lemon juice from the other half of lemon over them. Close bag and shake to coat. In a large salad bowl, layer salad greens, apple slices, pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese. Just before serving, dress with desired amount of apple cider vinaigrette and toss until salad ingredients are evenly coated.

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 280kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 5g, fat: 20g, saturated fat 9g, cholesterol: 11mg, sodium: 365mg, potassium: 238mg, fiber: 3g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 635iu, vitamin c: 15gm, calcium: 93mg, Iron: 1mg