Thursday, October 4, 2012

Apple Chip, Gorgonzola & Pecan Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Posted by Tina / 12 comments » / *Recipes, Dressings, Salads

I have an unhealthy obsession with Panera.

Maybe it’s because I’m a soup & salad kinda gal. Or, I don’t know, maybe it’s because they lace their food with crack (kidding). But seriously.  That stuff is ADDICTING with a Capital A.

I always ALWAYS order the “You Pick Two” (I can never chose just one item! It’s a problem I have in life…): Typically the Sierra Turkey & Broccoli Soup -OR- as of late, the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad & … ummm Broccoli Soup (I kind of have a things for their broccoli soup! ;) )

I already have a great broccoli soup recipe, so I decided it was time for an at-home version of the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad I’ve come to love:

This is IT my friends! I’ve seen knock-off recipes all over the internet and sorta combined/tweaked them into this one that I absolutely adore! I just can’t get enough of it right now (it’s got a little more tang the the original but MAN am I a fan!)!

Plus, there is something about apples and pecans says fall to me! Um HELLO:

  • Apples: apple pie, apple cider
  • Pecans: pecan pie, pumpkin pie topping, derby pie

See: F.A.L.L.

Do yourselves a favor… when you want a simple dinner- swing by the grocery store & pick up the ingredients along with a Rotisserie Chicken, whip up the dressing in a blender, toss it in the salad, and WHAM BAM you’ve got dinner in 15 minutes TOPS!

On a totally unrelated side note: You should make these cookies for dessert (I made a batch last night for bible study and 30 cookies disappeared in a FLASH!).

Enjoy Friends…

 

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Apple Chip, Gorgonzola & Pecan Salad with Apple Vinaigrette

Yield: 1 1/4 cup dressing

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

The perfect fall salad: Mixed greens topped with apple chips & toasted pecans tossed in a tangy apple vinaigrette...

Ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2 small cloves garlic (1 if it's large)
1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon finely diced red onion
4 tablespoons frozen apple juice concentrate, defrosted
2/3 cup light olive oil

For the Salad (add desired amount):
Mixed Greens
Toasted Pecans
Apple Chips
Red Onion, Thinly sliced
Gorgonzola Cheese (or feta if you don't like Gorganzola)
cherry tomatoes

Directions:

For the Apple Vinaigrette (makes about 1 1/4 cups):
Add ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse until everything is well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Salad:
Top mixed greens with a sprinkle each of: toasted pecans, gorgonzola, apple chips, red onion, and tomatoes. Drizzle with Apple Vinaigrette. Serve as a side or add chicken for a main course.

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12 Responses to “Apple Chip, Gorgonzola & Pecan Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette”

  1. 1

    Sandy — October 4, 2012 @ 8:18 am

    I love this salad at Panera! Thanks for the recipe. :)

  2. 2

    Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — October 4, 2012 @ 8:18 am

    Thats my favorite Panera salad too..Ive been getting it for years, every single time I go there..I love the dressing!! Were you able to pretty much replicate that too!? I would be forever grateful! :D

  3. 3

    Ali | Gimme Some Oven — October 4, 2012 @ 9:33 am

    Yum! This is one of my fav salads too! And I agree — one must ALWAYS do the You Pick Two! Because why pick only one?? :)

  4. 4

    Cassie — October 4, 2012 @ 12:10 pm

    Beautiful fall salad! Panera obsession: yes, ma’am. Love their stuff!

  5. 5

    Megan — October 4, 2012 @ 12:24 pm

    Where do you get these apple chips and toasted pecans?

    • Tina replied: — October 4th, 2012 @ 12:39 pm

      Apple chips are in bags in the produce section at the grocery store (usually on those moveable carts) with other salad toppings like toasted almonds… & toasted pecans are just pecans toasted in a pan for a few minutes until golden and nutty smelling. :)

  6. 6

    Katie @ Blonde Ambition — October 4, 2012 @ 12:26 pm

    This dressing sounds soooo good. Apple is my fall flavor of choice! :D

  7. 7

    emily — October 4, 2012 @ 2:57 pm

    I love the idea of apple chips in salad! YUM! Also, Panera is THE BEST. They don’t have them in this state, but I get my fix whenever we visit our parents.

  8. 8

    Life's a Bowl — October 4, 2012 @ 3:51 pm

    Immediately when I saw the first picture I thought… Panera! Love it, perfect for fall :)

  9. 9

    Anita at Hungry Couple — October 4, 2012 @ 11:43 pm

    Yum! I’m a soup and salad girl, myself!

  10. 10

    Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers — October 5, 2012 @ 6:40 am

    I love these kind of salads! Your salad looks mighty delish!

  11. 11

    Aimee W. — October 7, 2012 @ 5:43 pm

    What happened to Friday cocktails with The Hubs?

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