• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Disclosure
  • Recipes
  • Family Life
    • Kitchen Music
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Social Menu

Foodtastic Mom

cooking is my super power

December 4, 2014

Harvest Salad with Sugared Pecans

Pin
Share
Tweet
Share

Harvest Salad with Sugared Pecans by Foodtastic Mom

This is a salad you can be happy eating for breakfast, it’s that good. And that’s exactly what I did after photographing this beauty this morning.

Of all the Thanksgiving foods I indulged in, this salad was by far the favorite side dish I made. I don’t normally think about salads on Thanksgiving Day, but I’m really glad I did this year.

Harvest Salad with Sugared Pecans by Foodtastic Mom

It’s a super simple combination of ingredients, but together the salad becomes far greater as a sum of its parts. Personally, I think the star of the plate is the sugared pecans. And here’s a good tip… keep a bag of WHOLE pecans in your freezer and if you are in need of a last-minute holiday gift, follow the sugared pecan portion of this recipe, let the whole pecans cool (if they are whole, they will look fancier) and package them up in a holiday-themed cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon. Could not be an easier gift and trust me, these pecans are addicting. So, so good!

The dressing is a combination of olive oil, apple cider, a little onion, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and this Monari Federzoni Apple Glaze. If you aren’t able to find this product, simply substitute an aged balsamic vinegar with a pinch of sugar. And if you are not sure how to cut a whole butternut squash for roasting, visit my post HERE for a visual tutorial. As long as you have a sharp knife, it’s a simple process. 

Harvest Salad with Sugared Pecans by Foodtastic Mom

Harvest Salad with Sugared Pecans
 
Author: Foodtastic Mom
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 c. pecan pieces
  • 2 T. unsalted butter
  • 1/4 c. sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 whole butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into small cubes
  • 1 T. vegetable oil
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 c. sweet onion, finely minced
  • 2 T. apple cider
  • 1 T. Monari Federzoni Apple Glaze (or sub aged balsamic vinegar with a pinch of sugar)
  • 1 t. Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 t. salt
  • cracked black pepper
  • 1 (5 oz.) clamshell container spring lettuce mixture
  • 3/4 c. dried cherries
  • 3/4 c. crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
  1. To make the pecans, toast the nuts in a dry, non-stick skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Watching and stirring so as not to burn. Remove nuts from skillet and add butter and sugar. Melt the butter and sugar over medium heat. Once melted, add the pre-toasted pecans to the pan and stir to coat, allowing to cook for 2 – 4 minutes, or until the sugar is adhering to the nuts. Spread the sugared nuts evenly on a flat piece of parchment paper or on a silicone baking mat. Sprinkle the nuts lightly with salt and allow to cool completely.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Toss the cubed squash with the vegetable oil and pinch of salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast on center rack for 20 minutes, Allow to cool before using to top the salad. Squash can be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for several days before ready to serve.
  3. For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, onion, apple cider, apple glaze, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
  4. Toss the salad greens with the dressing and top with the roasted squash, sugared pecans, dried cherries and goat cheese.
 
3.2.1311

 

Related Posts

  • Persian Herb SaladPersian Herb Salad
  • Holiday Turkey and Broccoli SaladHoliday Turkey and Broccoli Salad
  • Orzo Pasta Salad with Cucumber and TomatoOrzo Pasta Salad with Cucumber and Tomato
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share

Filed Under: foodtastic mom originals, salads, sides Tagged With: foodtastic mom originals, salads, sides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allie|Baking a Moment says

    December 4, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    What a gorgeous salad! The vinaigrette sounds divine 🙂

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      December 7, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Thanks Allie! I had this salad for several meals and it was awesome 🙂 I need to have this kind of stuff in my fridge more often…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome

My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

Most Popular Recipes

air fryer pork chops topped with maple dijon sauce
assembled shrimp taco on a plate
pizza dip in slow cooker with spoon
air fryer donut bites on plate with glass of milk
simply delicious chicken and dumplings overhead view in bowl
perfect personal pizza on a plate with celery
Oreo Krispies
overhead view of french strawberry cake in pan

All Content © 2021 Foodtastic Mom • Privacy Policy • Genesis Theme Customized by Grits Design