This Zesty Apple and Radicchio Salad offers a vibrant and refreshing blend of bitter greens, sweet apples, crunchy maple-glazed walnuts, and creamy Gorgonzola cheese. Perfect for fall or anytime fresh flavors are desired, this salad balances tangy, sweet, and savory notes with a delightful crunch. It’s an elegant yet simple dish ideal for lunch, a light dinner, or to impress guests at your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup unsalted walnut halves, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3 ounces butter lettuce, torn
- 4 ounces radicchio, torn
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon or stone-ground mustard
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make the Salad
Start by making the maple-glazed walnuts. Toast the walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in butter, maple syrup, Aleppo pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring, until the syrup bubbles and coats the walnuts. Spread them on parchment paper to cool and harden.
In a large salad bowl, combine torn butter lettuce and radicchio. Add the sliced apple, crumbled Gorgonzola, and cooled maple walnuts.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil until emulsified. Drizzle this zesty dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Why This Salad Stands Out
The bitterness of radicchio contrasts beautifully with the bright tartness of green apple and the creamy richness of Gorgonzola. Maple-glazed walnuts add a sweet, spicy crunch that elevates every bite. The simple, lemony mustard dressing ties all these textures and flavors together for a salad that’s balanced, colorful, and full of personality.
This salad works well as a starter, side dish, or even as a light main course when paired with grilled chicken or fish. It brings seasonal ingredients to the forefront in a way that’s both healthy and indulgent.