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Autumn Arugula Salad with Fig Vinaigrette

Autumn Arugula Salad combines fresh greens, apple, goat cheese, and spiced pecans.
Homemade fig vinaigrette adds a sweet and tangy finish.
The easy fall salad is ready in about 23 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

Spiced Pecans

  • - ½ cup whole pecans
  • - 1½ tablespoons brown sugar
  • - ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • - Kosher salt to taste
  • - Black pepper to taste

Fig Vinaigrette

  • - ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • - 2–3 tablespoons fig preserves
  • - 2 garlic cloves finely minced or pressed
  • - 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • - Kosher salt to taste
  • - Black pepper to taste
  • - ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Salad

  • - 6–8 cups baby arugula and/or spring greens
  • - Kosher salt to taste
  • - Black pepper to taste
  • - 1 Honeycrisp apple thinly sliced
  • - ⅓ cup dried tart cherries or cranberries
  • - 2–3 ounces goat cheese crumbled

Instructions
 

  • Place the pecans in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the brown sugar, chipotle chili powder, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
  • Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sugar has melted and formed a caramel-like coating around the pecans. Watch carefully because the sugar and nuts can burn quickly.
  • Transfer the coated pecans to parchment paper and allow them to cool completely. Separate any pieces that stick together, or roughly chop the pecans if desired.
  • Make the fig vinaigrette by whisking the apple cider vinegar, fig preserves, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
  • Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  • Place the arugula and/or spring greens in a large serving bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Arrange the sliced Honeycrisp apple, dried cherries or cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and spiced pecans over the greens.
  • Drizzle the dressing over your Autumn Arugula Salad, toss gently, and serve immediately.

Notes

Dried cranberries can replace dried tart cherries in equal amounts. Feta is another good choice if goat cheese isn't available.
For a more substantial meal, serve this arugula goat cheese salad alongside grilled chicken, roasted chicken, salmon, or a warming seasonal soup.
The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated in a tightly sealed container. Let it sit briefly at room temperature and whisk or shake thoroughly before serving if the olive oil has thickened.