I have to say that this is one of the best apple-walnut salad recipe that I have ever tried. It is all because of the lemon curd that is mixed into the mayonnaise. I found the recipe in a Southern Living cookbook. My menu for one of the nights that our family was visiting included my Fall-Apart Tender Slow Roast Pork. I wanted something refreshing to go with the rich pork and something that kids would like. This salad did the trick. Both Rachel and Cameron ate every bit of the portions on their plates.
The only changes I made to the recipe were to cut down on some of the strong seasonings, like cardamom and nutmeg. But the lemon curd was a wonderfully refreshing addition to the dressing. The crunchy walnuts and celery, the sweet apples and the soft dried cranberries all mingled together to make a worthy whole. I would recommend it as a side to any pork dish that you make during the holidays.
Here are some of the other holiday dishes that we enjoyed. I will share them with you soon. Which of them grabs your interest the most? Merry Christmas everyone.
APPLE-WALNUT SALAD
1 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup lemon curd
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (I used 1/8 teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I used 1/8 teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
6 apples, chopped – A combination of Gala, Granny Smith and Red Delicious is good
3/4 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup dried mixed fruit (I used dried cranberries)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake walnuts in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring once after 5 minutes.
Stir together mayonnaise, next 4 ingredients, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest in a large bowl. Add apples, celery, fruit mix, and 3/4 cup walnuts; toss well. Cover and chill 6 hours. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and 1 teaspoon lemon zest just before serving.
Thank you for sharing your recipes. They frequently inspire me. 🙂 I’m interested in #1 and #3
Lynette, Thanks for your kind comment. Appreciate your input.
My Best, Penny
Hi Penny, Thank you for making aware of your blog!! Merry Christmas. I love a good salad and this sounds yum, I have never seen a dressing with lemon curd before. I will definitely be trying this one for sure. I love fruit salads.
Wishing you and your family and loved ones a very Merry Christmas,
xo Kathysue
This would be such a refreshing accompaniment. Here’s wishing you an amazing Christmas season at Lake Lure Cottage.
Love apple salad and your is looking fantastic; great combination with the lemon. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Rita
Your apple salad looks fabulous Penny and of course I love anything with nuts. What a great idea to use some lemon curd. Merry Christmas to you and David and your family.
Sam
That apple salad sounds wonderful. I love the idea of adding the lemon curd. Kent and I wish you and David the Merriest of Christmas’s!
xo
Penny
Penny, thank you so much for you kind comment on my blog — it brought a smile late last night after a busy day! I love the lemon curd in this salad — definitely a new idea to try. And I’d say that taco looks pretty perfect right down to the double tortilla ;). Hope your holidays are lovely.
What a lovely salad, Penny. I just stopped by to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Hugs and Christmas blessings…Mary
this reminds me of waldorf salad, which i LOVE. happy holidays! 🙂
have a wonderful merry Xmas, xoxoxoxoxo Flavia
Just thought I’d come back to let you know that we revisit this recipe regularly as a side dish. We’ve recently discovered that the cardamom component pairs this nicely with Indian-inspired entrees! Tonight we served this along side of Curried Sweet Potatoes & Eggplant w/Quinoa and Naan. It was lovely!
So glad this recipe works well. That menu sounds great. Perhaps we can have it when we visit soon. Love you, Penny