Goat Cheese Salad With Arugula, Apple, and Pecans

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What better way to celebrate fall than with a hearty, warm Goat Cheese Salad? Inspired by a recent trip to Quebec, this salad is made with lettuce, arugula, crispy apples, toasted pecans, and fresh blueberries. Drizzled with a lemon-maple vinaigrette, it is then topped with crunchy sourdough bread and goat cheese toasts (the way we love to make goat cheese salad in France). For all the wine lovers out there, this recipe is begging to be paired with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc! Simply delicious.

Why you should try this recipe

• Insanely flavorful – you’ve got the creamy goat cheese, the peppery arugula, the sweet apple, the crunchy pecans, and that zesty maple-lemon vinaigrette. A flavor combo that just works.
• Wholesome and nutritious – not only is this salad delicious, but it’s also packed with healthy greens, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s a win-win!
• Versatile and fresh – whether you want a starter, side dish, or main course, this salad’s got your back. It’s fresh, vibrant, and perfect for fall gatherings. Plus, it’s a real crowd-pleaser… just try it out and you’ll see!
• A recipe for goat cheese fans – another addition to the goat cheese series on this blog, alongside Asparagus, Burrata and Goat’s Cheese Crostini, 5-Ingredient Goat’s Cheese Broccoli Quiche and Goat’s Cheese Popovers with Lemon Chives Butter!

The ingredients you’ll need

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card at the end of the post.)

• Goat cheese – semi-soft goat cheeses work best for this salad. I chose crottins de chèvre (a semi-soft goat cheese from France) but any kind of semi-soft goat cheese works!
• Sourdough bread – the French way to make warm goat cheese toast!
• Dried rosemary (optional) – to sprinkle on top of the goat cheese toasts.
• Lettuce – such as red leaf lettuce, butterhead lettuce, or romaine lettuce.
• Arugula – adds pepperiness to the salad.
• Apples – after many trials, I find that Gala or Honeycrisp apples work best in this salad. Pink Lady, Red Delicious, and Granny Smith are also great options!
• Raw pecans – for some delicious nuttiness and crunch.
• Blueberries (fresh) – add floral and woody flavors to the salad.

For the lemon-maple vinaigrette:

• One lemon – preferably organic, as this recipe uses both zest and juice.
• Maple syrup – adds sweetness and complexity to the vinaigrette. Plus, it pairs so well with apples, pecans, and goat cheese!
• Good quality extra-virgin olive oil – contributes to both the flavor and consistency of the vinaigrette.
• Flaky sea salt and ground black pepper – to season.

How to make Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula, Apple, and Pecans?

(Note: please see the recipe card below for the complete written instructions and measurements.)

Start by making the lemon-maple vinaigrette.

• In a jam jar or bowl, combine extra-virgin olive oil, maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Shake to emulsify (or stir dynamically with a small whisk or a spoon if using a bowl).
• The vinaigrette is ready. Set aside. 

Prepare the goat cheese toats.

• Preheat the oven to 410°F (210°C).
• Slice the sourdough bread into four ½-inch (1 cm) slices. Place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Generously line the sourdough sliced with 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick pieces of goat cheese.
• Sprinkle with optional dried rosemary.

• On the same sheet pan, line the raw pecans to toast alongside the goat cheese toasts.
• Place it in the oven to bake for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the pecans from the tray and bake the toasts for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the bread is golden around the edges.

Meanwhile, assemble the salad.

• Cut the apples thinly into ⅛-inch (3 mm) slices.

• In a large serving dish or bowl, combine the lettuce leaves and arugula.
• Add the sliced apples, toasted pecans, and blueberries.
• Drizzle with the lemon-maple vinaigrette.

• Top with warm goat cheese toasts and serve immediately with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc.
• Enjoy!

Wine Pairing for Goat Cheese Salad🍷

Other Delicious Cheesy Recipes

• 5 Ingredient Goat’s Cheese Broccoli Quiche
• Goat’s Cheese Popovers with Lemon Chives Butter
• Asparagus, Burrata and Goat’s Cheese Crostini
• Garlic, Pine Nuts, and Fresh Herbs Baked Brie

Recipe

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