Apple, Gouda, and Walnut Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

If you're me, then when fall comes, you can't get enough of apples. That means that when it comes time for lunch, you want to throw together a salad that involves apples. And you want to make it as full of apples as you can, so of course you make that cider vinaigrette recipe that you've had bookmarked for about a year. Luckily, this will not be challenging, and in about ten minutes you'll have a fresh and delicious salad, and you will be satisfied. I made this for myself, but I've scaled the recipe to throw together for four.

Ingredients

8-10 cups leafy greens (I used a salad mix from the market; pick your favorite)

2 medium apples, cored and roughly chopped

1/2 cup walnuts

4 oz gouda cheese, shaved (or gorgonzola cheese)

Cider Vinaigrette:

taken from NPR's Kitchen Window

1 cup apple cider, boiled down to 1/2 cup*

2 Tbsp cider vinegar

1 tsp maple syrup

1 shallot, finely minced (or 1/8 tsp garlic powder + 1/8 tsp onion powder)

1/2 tsp salt

black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Blend dressing ingredients together (or shake vigorously in a sealed jar). Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

2. Toss together salad ingredients, and drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.

Serves 4-6

*OK, full disclosure - I used 1/2 cup apple cider as is, which tasted just fine. It made for a thin vinaigrette, though, and I like mine a bit thicker.