Harvest Apple Arugula Salad

Harvest Apple Arugula Salad

I'd like to start this posting by saying "Do not buy/eat bagged lettuce, especially not spinach!" The invention of bagged salads has been wonderful, but with the latest e coli breakout, I am not eating them anymore! With that being said - there are many ways of buying lettuces that don't include bags. I wanted to develop a salad that used those wonderful apples that are popping up in markets everywhere. This salad includes peppery arugula, roasted pecans, white cheddar cheese and an apple cider reduced dressing that has a very subtle flavor. Paired with my previous recipe of Yukon Potato-Leek soup, this makes a complete meal that is filling but not heavy at all.

origin - lisa lou
difficulty - easy
health meter - high

4 cups arugula or any combination of field greens (boston bibb lettuce works well too)
1 macintosh or gala apple peeled and sliced into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup toasted pecans roughly chopped
1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese (yellow works fine too - you could even use crumbled goat cheese)
1 cup apple juice
1 small shallot finely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (white or red wine vinegar works well too)
4 tbsp olive oil

Toss the arugula, pecans, and shredded cheese in large salad bowl. Prepare the dressing by reducing the apple juice over high heat until reduced in half. Transfer to separate bowl, add shallots. Whisk in vinegar, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Add the sliced apples and spoon over the salad.