Serious Salads: Arugula, Apples and Manchego in Cider Vinaigrette Recipe

Updated August 30, 2018

Perfect for autumn, this Spanish-style salad combines peppery arugula, juicy apples, crunchy almonds and Manchego, the deliciously piquant sheep's milk cheese from the region of La Mancha in Spain. Tossed in a cider vinaigrette, it's got that salty-sweet-tangy flavor combination that everyone loves.

If you can find a Manchego that's been aged over six months, it will have a more distinctive flavor. Also, be sure to assemble the salad right before serving. Arugula tends to wilt quickly once it's dressed, and slice the apples at the last minute to avoid discoloration (or if you want to do it ahead of time, you can toss them with a little lemon juice).

Recipe Details

Serious Salads: Arugula, Apples and Manchego in Cider Vinaigrette Recipe

Active 15 mins

Total 15 mins

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Salad:

5 ounces arugula or baby arugula
1 crisp apple, such as Fuji
3 1/2 ounces manchego, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted if desired

For the Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons cider vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
2 teaspoons (real) maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots, from one shallot
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Make the vinaigrette by whisking all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Place arugula in serving bowl. Whisk the vinaigrette again until well combined, then and to the salad, little by little, until greens are well dressed. You may have a little left over. Right before serving, cut apple into thin slices and toss into salad along with Manchego and almonds. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
425	Calories
37g	Fat
15g	Carbs
12g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	425
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g	47%
Saturated Fat 8g	41%
Cholesterol 26mg	9%
Sodium 324mg	14%
Total Carbohydrate 15g	5%
Dietary Fiber 3g	12%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 6mg	28%
Calcium 325mg	25%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 320mg	7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.