Description
A quick, budget-friendly dinner salad featuring fresh spring mix, tangy goat cheese, and homemade candied walnuts, ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5–6 ounces spring mix
- 4–5 ounces goat cheese
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop walnuts into rough pieces and measure out butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Heat butter in a small skillet over medium heat until melted and foamy.
- Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt; stir constantly for 1 minute until sugar dissolves and bubbles.
- Add walnuts and toss to coat evenly; stir for 2-3 minutes until glossy and caramelized.
- Pour candied walnuts onto a plate lined with parchment paper to cool completely.
- Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss spring mix with about half the dressing.
- Crumble goat cheese over the salad with your hands.
- Crush cooled candied walnuts slightly and scatter over the salad.
- Toss gently one more time and serve immediately.
Notes
The candied walnuts must cool completely to become crunchy. Do not dress the salad until ready to serve to prevent wilting. Store walnuts in an airtight container for up to a week. For a dairy-free version, omit goat cheese and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the total sal
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
Keywords: spring mix salad, goat cheese salad, candied walnuts, budget dinner, quick meals, healthy salad, family dinner, easy recipes