







If you need something to cut through the richness of Thanksgiving day, without compromising the fall harvest theme, you really can't go wrong with this dish.





Tender leafy greens, combined with crisp apples, and tart cranberries balanced by walnuts and powerful cheese are a killer combo. Add to that the zing of a lightly sweet and tangy vinaigrette, and you've got yourself the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast.





Your tummy will thank you.

















Cranberry Apple Walnut Salad

{with Balsamic Apple Vinaigrette}





Thanksgiving is ONE week from today!!!And let's be honest...Where food is concerned, the traditional stars of that day include one, some, or all of the following:1. Turkey... or Ham... to each their own2. Pies... lots and lots of pies3. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy4. Stuffing5. Marshmallow-Topped Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes6. Green Bean Casserole7. Dinner RollsEach of those things are completely and utterly delicious. (Also, I happen to have the best roll recipe for you to try if you don't already have one pegged down. It's super easy. You're gonna love it!)True to form, these dishes also make for a monster heavy meal.Don't get me wrong. I'll be the first to admit that I love everything about this feast and look forward to it each year. Though I try to be conscious of serving my family healthy food much of the time, I definitely love ALL of the dishes mentioned above... marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes included... and I don't hesitate to dig in on Thanksgiving Day with my family.But...(Yes, there's a "but," here.)To lend some balance, the Thanksgiving table really must have at least ONE dish to counter all that heaviness, thickness, and richness, or the dishes honestly just doesn't taste as good as they could. Everything starts tastingafter a while.That's where the salad comes in.This cranberry apple walnut salad is the perfect dish for the job... a veritable kick in the palate after so much "brown."I mean, come on... just LOOK at it:*Serves 6-8package Spring Mix greens2 apples, cored and sliced3/4 cup chopped walnuts1/3 cup dried cranberries1/3 cup gorgonzola cheese1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar2 Tbsp. canola oil1/2 tsp. salt4 tsp. sugar1 tsp. lemon juiceIn a blender, add the apple juice, balsamic vinegar, canola oil, salt, sugar, and lemon juice. Blend on a high setting, stopping to scrape the sides with a spoon if needed, until sugar and salt are dissolved, and the vinaigrette is smooth. Pour into desired serving container, and refrigerate while you make the salad.In a large serving bowl combine the greens, apples slices, walnuts, dried cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese. Gently toss.Serve immediately with the balsamic apple vinaigrette. Vinaigrette may be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.