Apple Gorgonzola Salad {Bucca Di Beppo Copy-Cat Recipe}

After having this salad while dining a Bucca Di Beppo a few times I knew I had to make it at home.  It is a perfect blend of flavors and textures.  My first instinct was to look it up online, and find a recipe I did!  I tried it out...and while I liked it the dressing just didn't have the same pizzaz that it had in the restaurant.  Sooooo...I took matters in to my own hands to create a dressing that satisfied my craving for this salad.

There are a few things you need to make this salad - the first a nice romaine lettuce, chopped.  The second?  Crumbled Gorgonzola - so delish!  You'll also need green apples, sliced and chopped,  dried cranberries, candied walnuts, and of course - the dressing!

The first 4 ingredients don't need any additional prep, but the last two do.  As far as the candied Walnuts?  There is a fabulous recipe here on the blog for cinnamon pecans.  I used this recipe - and the pecans were fabulous in the salad!  If you want walnuts, just sub them for the pecans - it will turn out great!  I'll give you the recipe again below.

For the dressing, get out your blender - its the easiest way to whip up a yummy dressing.

Apple Gorgonzola Salad

Apple Gorgonzola Salad

Ingredients

1 package of prepared romaine lettuce

1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 cup dried cranberries

1 green apple, diced

1 green apple, sliced

1 cup candied walnuts (recipe below)

mustard vinaigrette (recipe below)

Directions

Toss together lettuce, cheese, diced apple, walnuts, and cranberries. Toss with desired amount of mustard vinaigrette. Garnish with sliced apples.

Candied Pecans or Walnuts

Candied Pecans or Walnuts

Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

pinch of ground red pepper

2 tbsp butter

1 1/2 cups whole walnuts

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a frying pan. Heat over medium heat until sugar is melted and nuts are toasted.

Transfer to a lightly greased sheet of tinfoil to cool.

Store in a ziplock bag

Mustard Vinaigrette

Mustard Vinaigrette

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 red onion - if you prefer the crunch of the onion in your salad chop these and stir in to the dressing later. I like the texture a bit smoother so I include them in the blender

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

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