Apple-berry-spinach salad – the healthy home cooking

Originally published May 14, 2015.

This fresh and fruity Apple Berry Spinach Salad is topped with a homemade red wine vinaigrette and promises to be a crowd pleaser every time.

I love salads! Mainly because they are so interchangeable. It’s hard to get tired of a salad when you can create a different salad every day by adding new interesting veggies or toppings. They are definitely a regular part of my weekly meal planning.

Bursting with wonderful flavors, this new Apple, Berry, and Spinach Salad will make a flavorful addition to your dinner table.

Don’t get me wrong, not all salads are super healthy. You have to be careful with what you mix in and put on your green. Adding lots of shredded cheese, bacon, or a thick creamy dressing won’t leave you with the low-fat meal you intended.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR SALAD HEALTHY:

• Stick to bandages you can see through. The thicker the dressing, the more calories and fat you’re adding to your salad.
• If you’re looking for more protein, add unsalted nuts, seeds, or lean meats.
• Avoid too many extra toppings like bac-os, croutons, crispy pasta, and breaded chicken.
• Stack fresh vegetables and fruits on top.

Luckily, this recipe is already set up to give you a nutritious meal without all the unnecessary toppings or dressings.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED FOR APPLE BERRY SPINACH SALAD?

• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 red apple
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1/3 roasted (unsalted) pistachios
• 1/3 cup feta or blue cheese
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• Pinch of salt & pepper

HOW DO I DELIVERY AN APPLE BERRY SPINACH SALAD?

Start by making the red wine vinaigrette. Combine 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk well so that all the ingredients are well incorporated. Set the dressing aside until ready to serve.

For the salad, place about 4 cups of fresh baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Mix in 1 chopped red apple along with 1/2 cup fresh blueberries and raspberries. Finally, add 1/3 cup toasted (unsalted) pistachios and 1/3 cup feta or blue cheese.

You can add the salad dressing before serving or set it aside for guests to add as much as they like.

If you’re looking for a completely vegan version of this salad, you can omit the cheese and replace the honey in the dressing with agave syrup.

This Apple Berry Spinach Salad might be the perfect spring and summer salad recipe, but you better believe I eat it year-round.

Apple Berry Spinach Salad

ingredients

• 4 cups fresh baby spinach

• 1 red apple – chopped

• 1/2 cup blueberries

• 1/2 cup raspberries

• 1/3 roasted (unsalted) pistachios

• 1/3 cup feta or blue cheese

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp honey

• Pinch of salt & pepper

instructions

1. To make the Red Wine Vinaigrette, combine 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk all the ingredients together so they are well incorporated. Set the dressing aside until the salad is ready to serve.
2. To Prepare the Salad- In a large salad bowl, add about 4 cups of fresh baby spinach.
3. Mix in 1 chopped red apple along with 1/2 cup fresh blueberries and raspberries.
4. Finally, add 1/3 cup toasted (unsalted) pistachios and 1/3 cup feta or blue cheese.
5. You have the option to add the vinaigrette before serving or set it aside for guests to add as much as they like.