Spinach-Apple Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette

GOOD SALAD.

I'm tellin' ya.

Delicious.

Spinach-Apple Salad with Maple Cider Vinaigrette

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Ingredients:

-Sugared Curried Pecans

1 (6 oz) package pecan halves

2 Tbsp butter, melted

3 Tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp curry powder

1/8 kosher salt

1/8 tsp ground red pepper

-Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

1/3 cup cider vinegar

2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

1 Tbsp dijon mustard

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2/3 cup olive oil

-Salad

1 (10 oz) Fresh baby spinach

1 Gala apple, thinly sliced

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 (4 oz) package goat cheese
Optional: Grilled chicken breast

1. Prepare Pecans: Preheat oven to 350°. Toss pecans in butter. Stir together sugar and next 4 ingredients in a bowl; add pecans, tossing to coat. Spread in a single layer in a nonstick aluminum foil-lined pan. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until lightly browned and toasted. Cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes; separate pecans with a fork.

2. Prepare Vinaigrette: Whisk together cider vinegar and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk in oil until well blended.

3. Prepare Salad: Combine spinach and next 3 ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of Maple-Cider Vinaigrette; toss to coat. Sprinkle with pecans. Serve salad with any remaining vinaigrette.

This is seriously SO GOOD! The pecans are the very best part and I think I'll make them many more times just to have as a snack. Delicious!

Recipe courtesy of Southern Living magazine.