Print

Crispy Autumn Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Crispy Autumn Salad with Maple Vinaigrette - featured image
Print Recipe

A light yet satisfying autumn salad featuring massaged kale, roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash, crisp bacon, and a sweet maple vinaigrette. It offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors, ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large bunch Lacinato kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and sliced thinly
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (divided)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Toss diced sweet potatoes and butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on baking sheets and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized.
  3. While veggies roast, toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Place chopped kale in a large bowl with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Massage with hands for 2-3 minutes until leaves are tender and darker green.
  6. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and remaining olive oil until emulsified.
  7. Add roasted veggies and sliced apple to the massaged kale. Pour dressing over and toss gently. Top with bacon, pecans, and feta. Serve immediately.

Notes

Massage the kale to break down fibers and remove bitterness. Roast vegetables until caramelized for best flavor. Add bacon just before serving to maintain crispness. For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked almonds or crispy tofu and feta with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: autumn salad, maple vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, kale salad, healthy dinner, meal prep, fall recipes, sweet potato salad

Find it online: https://livelybite.com/crispy-autumn-salad-best-easy-maple-vinaigrette-recipe/