Spinach and Apple Salad with Crispy Almonds

If I had things my way, I would have a salad for dinner more often! As long as it has some protein on it, I'm completely satisfied with a big salad.  A bed of lettuce with crunchy nuts, tangy dressing, and sweet fruit sounds perfect to me. What more do you need? 

This spinach and apple salad was amazing! I think the dressing was definitely a winner. The nutty, sweet almonds gave it the crunch I crave in a salad. At the rate I'm eating apples lately, I might turn into one, but on this salad the apples provided just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the onion flavor in the dressing. 

If I made this salad again (which I plan on doing), I might make it a meal by adding chicken. 

Spinach and Apple Salad with Crispy Almonds
From Epicurious

Dressing

• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine onion with vinegars, sesame seeds and paprika. Add sugar, then slowly pour in oil while whisking all along. Can be made in advance and kept in refrigerator.

Crispy Almonds

• 1/3- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Heat butter in skillet over medium heat. Add almonds, cook for 2 minutes until almonds turn light brown. Add sugar and cook 2 minutes longer. Cool almonds in bowl.

Salad

• baby spinach leaves
• sliced apple
• cheddar or cheese of choice 

Assemble salad by gently tossing apples and spinach with enough dressing to coat. Top with almonds and cheese. 

My husband said the cheddar cheese and apples paired really well together. I'll have to take his word on that, since I'm not a cheese fan. But I can see how the sharp tanginess of the cheddar would compliment the tart sweetness of the apple slices.