Autumn Bliss Salad
This Autumn Bliss Salad is a vibrant and refreshing medley of flavors, perfect for celebrating the harvest season. Combining crisp spinach with sweet dried cranberries, creamy avocado, and tangy blue cheese, this salad is not only nutritious but also visually appealing. The addition of juicy tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion enhances its flavor profile, while a homemade raspberry vinaigrette drizzled on top ties all the ingredients together, creating a delightful balance of sweet and savory. Ideal as a satisfying lunch or a light snack, share this beautiful salad with friends and family, and enjoy the bounty of fall in each bite!
N/A
Servings
204
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spinach
1 bunch (rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces)
Dried cranberries
1/2 cup
Crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup
Tomatoes
2 (chopped)
Avocado
1 (peeled, pitted and diced)
Red onion
1/2 (thinly sliced)
Raspberry jam
2 tablespoons (with seeds)
Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
Walnut oil
1/3 cup
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Salt
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing and tearing the spinach leaves into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large salad bowl.
2
Add the dried cranberries, crumbled blue cheese, chopped tomatoes, diced avocado, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the spinach. Gently toss to combine all the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution.
3
In a separate smaller bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the raspberry jam, red wine vinegar, walnut oil, and freshly ground black pepper. Add salt to taste.
4
Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if necessary to better suit your flavor preference.
5
Once the dressing is ready, drizzle it over the salad mixture. Toss the salad again gently to ensure all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
6
Serve immediately and enjoy your vibrant Autumn Bliss Salad!
Nutrition Information
16g
Fat
11g
Carbs
4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Autumn Bliss Salad?
The Autumn Bliss Salad is a vibrant, harvest-themed salad featuring spinach, dried cranberries, avocado, blue cheese, and a homemade raspberry vinaigrette.
What are the primary ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include spinach, dried cranberries, crumbled blue cheese, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and a dressing made from raspberry jam, red wine vinegar, and walnut oil.
Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the Autumn Bliss Salad is a vegetarian-friendly dish.
How many calories are in one serving?
This salad contains approximately 204 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The recipe contains 16g of fat per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in the salad?
There are 11g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of the Autumn Bliss Salad?
The salad provides 4g of protein per serving.
How do I prepare the spinach?
The spinach should be rinsed and torn into bite-sized pieces before being placed in the bowl.
What kind of dressing is used for this salad?
The salad is drizzled with a homemade raspberry vinaigrette made from jam, vinegar, and walnut oil.
Can I substitute the walnut oil?
While walnut oil adds a specific nutty flavor, you can substitute it with extra virgin olive oil if needed.
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe calls for crumbled blue cheese.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be thinly sliced to ensure it doesn't overpower the other flavors.
What kind of jam is required for the dressing?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of raspberry jam with seeds.
How do I prepare the avocado?
The avocado should be peeled, pitted, and diced.
Is this salad a good choice for a light lunch?
Yes, it is described as an ideal satisfying lunch or light snack.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 11 ingredients used to make the salad and dressing.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
For the best texture, it is recommended to serve immediately after tossing with the dressing to prevent the spinach from wilting.
What seasoning is added to the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Is there a specific vinegar recommended?
The recipe calls for red wine vinegar.
What gives the salad its sweet and savory balance?
The combination of sweet dried cranberries and raspberry jam balanced with tangy blue cheese and red onion creates the sweet and savory profile.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, harvest, autumn, healthy, lunch, snack, vegetarian, and seasonal.
Can I add extra protein to this salad?
Yes, adding grilled chicken or chickpeas would complement the existing flavors well.
Should the tomatoes be seeded or just chopped?
The instructions simply suggest chopping the two tomatoes.
Is this recipe considered seasonal?
Yes, it is specifically designed to celebrate the harvest season and the bounty of fall.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is rinsing and tearing the spinach leaves into bite-sized pieces.
How should I toss the salad?
Gently toss the ingredients to ensure an even distribution and to avoid bruising the avocado.
Can I use a different type of berry jam?
While raspberry is suggested for the vinaigrette, strawberry or blackberry jam could serve as alternatives.
Is the walnut oil essential?
It is part of the specific raspberry vinaigrette recipe, providing a unique harvest flavor.
What should I do if the dressing needs more seasoning?
The instructions suggest tasting the dressing and adjusting the salt and pepper to suit your preference before drizzling it over the salad.
Does the recipe include instructions for the dressing?
Yes, the instructions guide you to whisk the jam, vinegar, oil, and pepper in a separate smaller bowl.