Maple-Bourbon Pecan Salad

FROM CYNDI'S KITCHEN CUPBOARD

Maple-Bourbon Pecan Salad*
Serves Lots 6

This perfect-for-entertaining salad recipe features fresh greens topped with tons of goodies including sliced Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced red onions, dried cranberries, crumbled cheese, and the most incredible Maple-Bourbon Pecans which take all of 5 minutes to make.  Drizzled with homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette, each bite is a flavor and texture explosion!  Huge hit at Thanksgiving!  Can't imagine what it will be like for Christmas!!!!!

Ingredients:

• 5 ounces lettuce blend of your choice (I use red/green leaf combination)
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 1 small red onion, sliced into thin rings
• 1 Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
• 2 ounces crumbled gorgonzola or goat cheese.

For the Maple-Bourbon Pecans:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup, not pancake syrup!
• 1.5 teaspoons bourbon (nips from the liquor store)
• 1 cup pecan halves
• Pinch of coarse sea salt.

For the Red Wine Vinaigrette:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried minced onions
• ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

For the Maple-Bourbon Pecans:

Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie tray.  Add brown sugar, butter, and maple syrup to a small saucepan over medium heat.  Once melted and bubbling, stir in bourbon and pecans.  Cook while stirring constantly until mixture begins to adhere to the pecan halves, about 1-2 minutes.  Spread pecans onto prepared surface then sprinkle with coarse sea salt and cool completely.  You really do need to wait until they are no longer sticky! 

For the Vinaigrette:

Add all ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid then shake to combine and set aside.  Can be made up to 5 days in advance of when you need it.

For the salad:

Add lettuce to a large bowl then arrange dried cranberries, onion rings, sliced apples, cheese, and pecans.  Drizzle the dressing then toss to combine and serve. 

 *  From IowaGirlEats