Apple & Spiced Pecan Salad

Apple & Spiced Pecan Salad

Keeping Up Cookbook

6-8 cups assorted greens (romaine, arugula, etc.)

¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1 large red-skinned apple, diced

Dressing:

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

¼ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon salt

dash Tabasco sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

Whisk together dressing ingredients.

Spiced Pecans:

3 tablespoons butter

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¾ teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pecans

Over medium heat, melt butter in a pan and add sugar, spices, and salt.  Add pecan pieces and stir until well-coated.  Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar caramelizes and pecans darken slightly in color.  Transfer mixture to a paper bag to cool.  Shake bag occasionally to break up pieces.

Assemble salad ingredients and top with cooled pecans.  To avoid browning, apples can be added directly to dressing, or diced just prior to serving.  Toss salad with dressing and serve.