This recipe is a unique blend of two contrasting elements. Fresh, earthy brussels sprouts meet crisp, sweet apples in a salad that's both flavorful and refreshing. The additional ingredients like shallots, olive oil, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, walnuts, and parmigiano-reggiano lend a depth of flavors, making it a versatile side dish that can complement any meal.
While most of these ingredients are commonly found in our homes, the one that might need a special trip to the supermarket is parmigiano-reggiano. This is an Italian cheese that has a hard, gritty texture and a fruity, nutty taste. It can be used in salads, pasta, and risotto. If you can't locate it in your local supermarket, you can substitute it with parmesan.
Ingredients for Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad
Brussels sprouts: These are small, leafy green buds that look like miniature cabbages. They are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and give the salad its earthy flavor.
Apple: A tart-sweet red apple balances the taste of brussels sprouts. It also adds a nice crunch to the salad.
Shallots: These are a type of onion but have a milder, sweeter flavor.
Olive oil and Vegetable oil: These oils are used in the dressing to give it a rich and smooth texture.
Apple cider vinegar: This gives the salad a tangy flavor.
Honey: Honey adds a hint of sweetness to balance out the acidity of the vinegar.
Salt and Pepper: These season the salad and enhance its flavors.
Walnuts: These provide a nice crunch and are a good source of healthy fats.
Parmigiano-Reggiano: This is an Italian cheese that gives the salad a savory, nutty kick.
One reader, Ky Benson says:
This brussels sprout and apple salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of flavors is simply divine. The crunch of the sprouts and walnuts, paired with the sweetness of the apple and the tangy dressing, creates a perfect harmony. It's a refreshing and healthy dish that's now a staple in my kitchen!
Techniques Required for Making Brussels Sprout and Apple Salad
How to prepare the salad: Combine the shredded brussels sprouts, apples, shallots, olive oil, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the sprouts to soften and the flavors to marry.
How to toast walnuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F and arrange the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 6 to 10 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant. Transfer immediately to a plate and let cool.
How to adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary before serving. If the salad has been refrigerated for a while, consider adding a little more cider vinegar and vegetable oil to perk up the flavors.
How To Make Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples
Nutty brussels sprout, crisp tart apples, and sweet shallots are tossed in honey parmesan dressing to yield a delicious side of this brussels sprout salad!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1½lbbrussels sprouts,shredded
- 1largelarge red apple,or Honey Crisp, or tart-sweet, cored and chopped
- 3tbspshallots
- 4tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 4tbspvegetable oil
- 6tbspapple cider vinegar
- 3tbsphoney
- 1tspsalt
- ¼tspfreshly ground black pepper
- ¾cupwalnuts,toasted, if desired
- ¾cupparmigiano-reggiano,thinly sliced, crumbled
Instructions
-
In a large bowl, combine the shredded Brussels sprouts, apples, shallots, olive oil, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper, then toss well.
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Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
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Toss the walnuts and Parmigiano-Reggiano with the salad. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
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Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days but keep in mind that the flavors will dull the longer the salad sits; add a little more cider vinegar and vegetable oil to perk it up.
Nutrition
- Calories: 267.01kcal
- Fat: 17.92g
- Saturated Fat: 3.76g
- Trans Fat: 0.05g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.07g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.32g
- Carbohydrates: 21.24g
- Fiber: 4.45g
- Sugar: 12.91g
- Protein: 8.29g
- Cholesterol: 9.48mg
- Sodium: 411.80mg
- Calcium: 208.70mg
- Potassium: 429.32mg
- Iron: 1.58mg
- Vitamin A: 62.25µg
- Vitamin C: 74.74mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Preparing Brussels Sprout and Apple Salad
When preparing your brussels sprouts for this salad, it's important to shred them finely. This not only helps them to soften more quickly when marinated in the dressing, but also allows them to better absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. You can use a food processor with a slicing attachment to make this process easier and quicker. However, if you don't have a food processor, a sharp knife will do the job just fine. Just make sure to keep your fingers away from the blade and take your time to ensure even slices.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Salad Recipe
Prep ahead: Shred the brussels sprouts, chop the apples, and toast the walnuts in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
Use a food processor: Use a food processor to quickly shred the brussels sprouts, saving time and effort compared to hand-shredding.
Make it a meal: Add grilled chicken or roasted chickpeas to turn this salad into a satisfying main course, saving time on preparing additional dishes.
Double the batch: Make a larger quantity of the salad and store it in the refrigerator for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.
Invest in a good peeler: A high-quality vegetable peeler can make quick work of prepping the brussels sprouts and apples, saving time and ensuring uniform cuts.
Substitute Ingredients For Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples Recipe
brussels sprouts - Substitute with shredded kale: Shredded kale can provide a similar texture and earthy flavor to the salad, and it pairs well with the other ingredients.
red apple - Substitute with pear: Pears offer a similar sweet and juicy crunch, complementing the flavors of the salad while adding a unique twist.
shallots - Substitute with red onion: Red onion can provide a similar mild onion flavor and crunch, enhancing the overall taste of the salad.
extra virgin olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable alternative for dressing the salad.
vegetable oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a neutral flavor and high smoke point, making it a versatile option for the salad dressing.
apple cider vinegar - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers a slightly milder acidity and fruity undertones, complementing the salad's flavors.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and depth of flavor, enhancing the taste of the salad dressing.
walnuts - Substitute with pecans: Pecans offer a similar nutty flavor and crunchy texture, adding a delicious contrast to the salad.
parmigiano-reggiano - Substitute with pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano cheese has a similar sharp and salty flavor, making it a suitable alternative for adding a savory element to the salad.
Best Way to Present Brussels Sprout and Apple Salad
Elevate the plating: When presenting the salad, consider using a large, elegant serving platter to showcase the vibrant colors and textures of the dish. This will create a visually appealing presentation that is sure to impress the judges.
Incorporate artistic arrangement: Arrange the shredded brussels sprouts and apple salad in a visually striking manner, perhaps in a circular or asymmetrical pattern, to demonstrate attention to detail and artistic flair.
Garnish with precision: Carefully place the toasted walnuts and parmigiano-reggiano on top of the salad, ensuring that each element is strategically positioned to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the dish.
Emphasize balance and symmetry: Aim for a balanced distribution of ingredients across the plate, paying attention to symmetry and proportion to create a visually harmonious presentation.
Highlight the salad's colors: Use the natural colors of the brussels sprouts, apples, and walnuts to create a visually stunning display that celebrates the beauty of fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Incorporate a touch of elegance: Consider adding a subtle drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil in a deliberate, artistic manner to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the presentation.
Emphasize the freshness of the ingredients: Showcase the freshness of the salad by arranging the ingredients in a way that highlights their natural beauty and appeal, conveying a sense of culinary excellence and attention to quality.
Essential Tools for Making This Salad Recipe
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to shred, slice, chop, and puree ingredients. It's great for quickly and efficiently shredding the brussels sprouts for the salad.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining the shredded brussels sprouts, apples, shallots, and dressing ingredients. It allows for easy tossing and coating of the salad components.
Baking sheet: A baking sheet is used for toasting the walnuts. It provides a flat, even surface for the walnuts to toast in the oven.
Oven: The oven is used to toast the walnuts, bringing out their flavor and making them crunchy. It's an essential tool for this step in the recipe.
Plate: A plate is used to transfer the toasted walnuts to cool after they come out of the oven. It provides a convenient surface for the walnuts to cool before adding them to the salad.
How To Store and Freeze Leftover Salad
- This brussels sprout and apple salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, keep in mind that the flavors will dull over time, so it's best to consume the salad within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture.
- If you need to perk up the flavors of leftover salad, add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a drizzle of vegetable oil before serving.
- It's not recommended to freeze this salad, as the brussels sprouts and apples will lose their crisp texture and become soggy upon thawing. The dressing may also separate and lose its consistency when frozen and thawed.
- If you want to prepare the salad in advance, you can shred the brussels sprouts and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Slice the apples just before assembling the salad to prevent browning.
- Store the walnuts and parmigiano-reggiano separately in airtight containers at room temperature, and add them to the salad just before serving for optimal crunch and flavor.
Interesting Fact About Brussels Sprout and Apple Salad
Brussels sprout and apple salad is a delicious and healthy dish that combines the flavors of sweet apples and crunchy brussels sprouts. This salad is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to any meal. It's also a versatile dish that can be customized with different nuts, cheeses, or dressings to suit your taste preferences.
Is Making This Salad Recipe at Home Cost-Effective?
This brussels sprout and apple salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, brussels sprouts and apples, are generally affordable and readily available. The addition of walnuts and parmigiano-reggiano adds a touch of sophistication without breaking the bank. The use of simple pantry staples like olive oil and apple cider vinegar keeps the cost reasonable. Overall, this recipe rates a solid 8 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $12-$15, making it a budget-friendly and delicious option.
Is This Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This brussels sprout and apple salad recipe is a nutritious and flavorful dish that offers several health benefits. Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and support overall health. Apples provide additional fiber and vitamins, while walnuts offer heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein. The use of olive oil and vegetable oil in the dressing provides healthy unsaturated fats.
However, there are a few aspects of the recipe that could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of honey in the dressing to lower the added sugar content
- Use a higher proportion of olive oil to vegetable oil, as olive oil contains more beneficial monounsaturated fats
- Consider reducing the amount of salt to help control sodium intake
- Add more variety to the salad by incorporating other nutrient-dense ingredients, such as:
- Dried cranberries for additional antioxidants and a pop of sweetness
- Quinoa or chickpeas for added protein and fiber
- Sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and healthy fats
By making these adjustments, you can enhance the nutritional value of the salad while maintaining its delicious taste and texture. Overall, this brussels sprout and apple salad is a healthy and satisfying option that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course.
Editor's Opinion on This Brussels Sprout and Apple Salad Recipe
The Brussels sprout and apple salad recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The crispness of the shredded Brussels sprouts and apples, combined with the sweetness of honey and the tang of apple cider vinegar, creates a refreshing and vibrant dish. The addition of toasted walnuts and parmigiano-reggiano provides a satisfying crunch and nuttiness, elevating the overall experience. The recipe's balance of savory and sweet, along with the versatility of being able to adjust the seasoning, makes it a versatile and delicious option for any occasion.
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Why trust this Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples Recipe:
This recipe guarantees freshness and flavor with brussels sprouts and apples as the star ingredients. The combination of apple cider vinegar and honey creates a delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes. The addition of walnuts and parmigiano-reggiano provides a satisfying crunch and savory depth. The careful marination process allows the flavors to meld, ensuring a harmonious and delicious outcome. Trust in the quality of the ingredients and the thoughtful preparation to elevate your dining experience.
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