Recipe: Cranberry Apple Salad with a Crunch

.The weather in Georgia is finally starting to get cool enough to really call say fall has arrived — at least during the mornings and evenings. For me, this transition means a couple of things: I can pull out my warm sweaters and boots, I can turn off the air conditioning in the house for most of the day, and I can start enjoying fall flavors. Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries are among my families favorite ways to indulge in a taste that just feels like fall.

And this recipe created with Craisins® Dried Cranberries in mind, is a great, light way to enjoy that flavor.

Cranberry Apple Salad with a Crunch

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw spinach or other greens
• 1/8 cup Grape Nuts
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup diced apples

Makes a single serving. Multiply as necessary to serve more than one person.

Instructions

I admit I am not a huge salad eater. I should put greens on my plate more often, but what can I say? I am particular about flavors, and not many salads really satisfy my palate. This one, however, is one of my all-time favorites.

For the salad base, you’ll need two cups of raw spinach or your favorite greens. I try to buy my spinach organic whenever I can.

The star of this show is the cranberries. They provide the subtle zing that will make you want to eat this every day, and they’re a guilt-free way to enjoy a snack that feels decadent, but is really healthy. But my other favorite part of this salad is the subtle crunch provided by the Grape Nuts. Simply toss the dried cranberries and Grape Nuts together with the spinach.

For the final flavor punch, add the diced apples. Top with the salad dressing of your choice, though I’d recommend something light, like vinaigrette or simple oil and vinegar.

Take one bite of this salad with everything on your fork, and you’ll see why I love it so much. The combination of flavors and textures is amazing, and the memory of the cranberries will stay with you all day. Plus, there’s the fact that just 1/4 cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries actually provides you with 1/2 cup of fruit, and that’s all the more reason to indulge.

If you’re used to buying Craisins® Dried Cranberries at your local Sam’s Club, you may have noticed they’ve disappeared from the shelves. Not to worry. You can still find them at other stores. I found mine at Walmart on rollback for just $4.98 for a 24oz package!

Looking for more ideas for using dried cranberries? Click here for recipe ideas and to find a store near you.