PEACH & APPLE SALAD WITH CANDIED WALNUTS

Bright flavors abound in this Peach & Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts. Farm fresh lettuce, peaches and apples, paired with tangy blue cheese and sweet, crunchy, homemade (if you choose) candied walnuts! 

INGREDIENTS: 
Several heaping cups washed and dried mixed lettuces (as fresh as you can find)
1 fresh, ripe yellow or white peach, pitted and thinly sliced 
1 apple, cored and thinly sliced (I like Honeycrisp or Gala, but use whichever is your favorite)
Candied walnuts (see recipe below for a homemade version)
Crumbled blue cheese (my favorites are Danish or Roquefort)

Dressing 
1 tsp Dijon mustard 
3 tbsp olive oil 
2 tbsp plum wine vinegar 
Juice of half a lemon 
Salt and pepper, to taste 
1 tsp minced garlic 
1 tsp minced shallots

Candied Walnuts 
2 ½ cups candied walnuts 
¼ cup light brown sugar, packed 
¼ cup honey 
¼ tsp kosher salt 
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Tools
Cutting board 
Knife 
Mixing bowls 
Baking sheet 

DIRECTIONS:

1. For the candied walnuts, preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until the walnuts are well coated. 
3. Spread the coated walnuts in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. 
4. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring after 7 minutes. (You’ll know they’re done when they turn a deep brown color.) 
5. Remove from the oven and give them a stir to spread them out. 
6. After 5 minutes, stir again. Allow to cool completely before serving. 
7. To make the dressing, whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. 
8. To assemble the salad, place your washed and dried lettuces in a large bowl and toss with dressing until well coated. 
9. Top with the sliced peaches and apples, blue cheese, and candied walnuts. Enjoy!