I struggle with salad portions. Since we have become a reduced size family I just can’t seem to figure out how much salad to make for dinner. I always make too much and my husband always comments on how I make too much salad. No matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to get it right!
Well, the night I made this salad no one complained that I had made too much salad. We ate it all! I adapted this recipe from one I found on Pinterest.
I love a salad with texture and this salad has a lot of great texture. There is the crunch of the apple and the crisp bacon.
You also have some great texture and flavor from the pecans and the craisinets. There are all kinds of flavors to enjoy.
The dressing is as easy as they come. It is store bought! I used a half and half combination of poppy seed and balsamic vinaigrette. Use your favorite brands. I used Trader Joes. It was a great combination.
The perfect salad combination – lots of great texture and great taste! I am sure there are a lot of other fun flavor combinations you could come up with by trying different fruits (oranges, pears, etc.) and different nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts) Get creative with your dressing combination too. Take what’s in your refrigerator and try combining them! Let me know what good combos you come up with!!
Autumn Apple Salad
Combination of romaine and baby spinach (I was out of baby spinach so it’s not in the photo)
1/2 C Craisinets
1 C chopped pecans
1 apple, diced
6 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
1/2 C poppy seed dressing
1/2 C balsamic vinaigrette
Mix dressings together. Combine all other ingredients and then drizzle dressing. Enjoy!














This looks divine! But I have a silly question…what are craisinets? I’ve heard of craisins, but not craisnets. Maybe they call them something different in my part of the country?
I’ll be making this for my next Girl’s Night Out gathering!
Thanks!
I think you are actually calling it by the right name and I’m not. Not sure why I call them craisinets – maybe I am thinking of raisinets!!!
Actually I think you are talking about the cranberry/raisin mix.
Your salad looks so delicious. I am with you. After 20 plus years of cooking for our family, I still am not able to cook in moderation!
I am sure you have plenty of neighbors who would love your extras!
Lisa, I have just about given up trying to figure out the right amounts – it is much more fun to share.
This sounded so yummy that I had to make this as part of my dinner tonite! I had company over and we all loved it! You are right- great texture and flavors! Thank you for your great recipes!!
So glad you and your company enjoyed it! Happy Fall!
Where did you find those placemats in the photos? They are so pretty!
Cost plus world market
This looks delicious! I will have to make soon.
Leigh Ann, you must use a lot of lettuce for the salad because 1 cup of dressing is a lot of dressing. I use dressing really sparingly. How many servings would this salad normally make? It looks really good, I think I’ll make it for a luncheon this coming Friday. Oh by the way, I’m making some coconut cupcakes for a dinner party tomorrow night, if they turn out great I’ll send you the recipe. Thanx.
I too use dressing sparingly so I had lots left over – I made the salad several times that week!
Leigh Anne, I made your salad for a luncheon I attended today. I think someone licked the bowl clean as there was not a morsel left. We topped it off with your Orange Creamsicle cupcakes. (my whole family is addicted to them) Thanks for sharing so many great recipes.
PS I added some blue cheese to the salad…..it was a good choice.
I made this recipe tonight, and added blue cheese, too! SUPER yummy!
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I made this yesterday and it was wonderful. I used several apples for a big bowl of salad, and cut way back on the dressing.
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I made this to go with our dinner last night, and my husband and I loved it! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Thanks for sharing- I have been looking for some good “fall” salad ideas…going to give this a try.
Happy day
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This looks amazing! I had to pin it so I can try it.