This has become my go-to salad for BBQ’s, potlucks, and guests. It’s got sweet crunchy apples and red pepper bits, creamy smoked gouda (don’t skip it! regular gouda isn’t as good here), toasted sliced almonds, red onion if you’re into it (I am when I’m not pregnant), and a tangy honey-mustard dressing. It’s just really delicious. The original recipe didn’t use oil in the dressing. I find the flavor is better with some olive oil to mellow out all that Dijon mustard. That being said, the dressing is still potent so a little goes a long way! Feel free to double/triple/etc. the dressing to serve a crowd.

Spinach Apple and Smoked Gouda Salad

INGREDIENTS

baby spinach and/or mixed greens
sweet, crisp apple (such as a honey-crisp), cored and diced
sliced shallot/red onion, to taste (optional)
red bell pepper, diced
smoked Gouda cheese, cubed or grated
sliced almonds, toasted

Honey Mustard Dressing:
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a blender (or you can whisk by hand) and process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. For the salad, toss all the salad ingredients together. Add the dressing, to taste, and toss to combine or serve individual servings with the dressing alongside.

Dressing makes enough to serve ~4.

(Adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe)