Apple & Manchego Salad with Feta & Lemon Balsamic
A fresh, crisp salad that proves you don't need lettuce to make something delicious.
By Tricia Atkins, The Truffle Pig
Sometimes the best recipes come from taking something you already love and adding your own little twist.
I was craving a fresh salad but wanted something different from the usual bowl of greens. This Apple & Manchego Salad was just the thing—crisp Honeycrisp apples, nutty Manchego, shallots, and fresh chives tossed together with a bright lemon dressing.
I added crumbled feta and a drizzle of Finch & Fennel Lemon Balsamic, and that little extra tangy sweetness was exactly what it needed.
It's fresh, crunchy, a little salty, a little sweet—and ridiculously easy to make.
A Salad Without the Lettuce
Yes, you read that right. No lettuce required.
The apples are really the star of this salad. Julienning them into thin matchsticks gives you that wonderful crunch in every bite, while the Manchego adds richness and the feta gives it just a little salty tang.
The shallots and chives keep everything savory, and the lemon and balsamic bring all of those flavors together.
It's simple enough for lunch but pretty enough to put on the table when you're entertaining—which is always my favorite kind of recipe.
The Secret Is in the Apples
I like to use Honeycrisp apples because they're crisp, slightly sweet, and hold their texture beautifully.
A mandoline makes quick work of julienning the apples, but there's one important step: toss them with lemon juice immediately after cutting them.
Not only does the lemon add brightness to the salad, it also helps keep those beautiful apples from turning brown before you're ready to serve.
Apple & Manchego Salad with Feta & Lemon Balsamic
Ingredients
- 4 Honeycrisp apples, peeled
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 5 ounces Manchego cheese, in one block
- 2 shallots, very finely minced
- ¼ cup fresh chives, minced
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- Crumbled feta, to taste
- Finch & Fennel Lemon Balsamic, for drizzling
- Salt, to taste
- Additional lemon juice, if needed
Instructions
Using a mandoline, julienne the apples into thin matchsticks. Immediately toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
Julienne the Manchego cheese and add it to the apples.
Add the finely minced shallots, chives, olive oil, and crumbled feta. Gently toss everything together until well combined.
Drizzle with Finch & Fennel Lemon Balsamic and toss lightly.
Taste and season with salt and a little additional lemon juice, if needed.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Make It Your Own
This is one of those recipes that doesn't need to be measured down to the last crumb.
Love feta? Add a little more. Want it brighter? Give it another squeeze of lemon. Prefer more sweetness? Add another drizzle of Lemon Balsamic.
I also love that the ingredients themselves make this salad beautiful. The pale apples and Manchego, bits of green chive, crumbled feta, and glossy dressing make it look just as lovely as it tastes.
What to Serve with Apple & Manchego Salad
Because this salad is so crisp and fresh, it's a wonderful counterpoint to something richer. I'd serve it alongside roasted chicken or pork tenderloin, or add it to a luncheon menu with a simple quiche.
It would also be lovely served in smaller portions as the first course for a dinner with friends.
And if you're having one of those days when you just want something fresh for lunch? Pour yourself a glass of iced tea, grab a pretty plate, and call it done.
Because everyday food deserves the pretty dishes, too.