Apple & Mushroom Salad with Spicy Pecans
This crisp salad is full of flavour and texture. You can prepare all of the ingredients in advance and then sauté the mushrooms just before serving. The mushrooms could also be served cold. You can turn this salad into a complete meal by adding cooked chicken breast and serving with a slice of fresh bread. Serves 4.
4 cups mixed salad greens, washed and dried
2 apples, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced (place in apple juice to prevent discolouration)
3 cups assorted mushrooms, sliced (such as button, criminni, or shitake)
1 tbsp. butter
1 cup pecan halves
1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 tsp. white sugar
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Parmesan cheese for garnish
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Pinch of black pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. white sugar
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients in a plastic container with a lid. Shake until well combined. Set aside in refrigerator.
Wash and dry salad greens, set aside. Peel and slice apples and place in apple juice to prevent discolouration, set aside.
Prepare spicy pecans. Place pecans in a small bowl; toss with 1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil. Sprinkle 2 tsp. white sugar and 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper over pecans and toss until coated well. Heat a medium sized frying pan over medium high heat. Place pecans in pan and cook until sugar caramelizes and pecans are toasted. Be sure to keep pecans moving so they don't burn and do not leave them unattended as they toast very quickly (about 5 to 7 minutes). Remove pecans from heat and set aside.
Clean and slice mushrooms. Place 1 tbsp. butter in a saucepan on medium high heat and sauté mushrooms until soft (about 5 to 6 minutes).
Assemble salad. On individual plates or in a large salad bowl, add salad greens. Drain sliced apples and add to salad greens. Add mushrooms and pecans. Toss all ingredients well. Give the dressing a shake to recombine ingredients and pour over salad; toss well to coat. Garnish with shaved or grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately as warm mushrooms will begin to wilt salad.
Per serving : 516 calories, 36.7 grams (22%) carbohydrate, 13.2 grams (10%) protein, 39 grams (68%) fat (but healthy fat), 2 servings of fruits/vegetables per person, Suitable for diabetic diet (not so much for heart health and low fat)