Spicy Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad
Elevate your salad game with this irresistible Spicy Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad, a perfect blend of bold flavors and crunchy textures. Start with a base of fresh, crisp mixed greens, then add tangy crumbles of creamy blue cheese and sweet-yet-spicy candied pecans, coated with a hint of cayenne for a fiery kick. A drizzle of homemade balsamic vinaigrette, featuring olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey, ties it all together for a balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is ideal as a sophisticated starter, a light lunch, or a colorful addition to your dinner table. Perfect for those seeking gourmet salad recipes, quick prep meals, or creative ways to use blue cheese, this dish is a showstopper for any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 5 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add the pecan halves, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the pecans. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
Remove the pecans from the skillet and spread them on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, crumbled blue cheese, and cooled spicy pecans.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
428 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.2 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.1 g | 45% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 26 mg | 9% | |
| Sodium | 769 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 15.8 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.4 g | ||
| Protein | 11.3 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 235 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 364 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
