Autumn Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

If you are looking for a fresh and delicious salad that is perfect for fall, look no further.  This is it!  I love how the apples and pears, dried cranberries, and cashews give this salad loads of texture.  The dressing is light and clean and so easy to make.  It is a fresh taste of the season and pairs great with fall staples like soups and casseroles.

This salad is great to take to big gatherings because it is so easy to transport.  Just toss the apples and pears with the dressing and keep in a separate container.  The rest of the salad can be assembled in the serving bowl.  When ready to eat, simply toss the dressing covered fruit with the rest of the ingredients and serve.  That's it!  

Ingredients (serves 6 as a side)

Salad

1 head romaine, chopped

1 head red leaf lettuce, chopped

1/3 C red onion, chopped

1/2 C cashews

1/3 C dried cranberries

1 apple, chopped (I used Gala)

1 pear, chopped

Dressing
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C lemon juice
3/4 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp canola oil
1 tsp poppy seeds

Directions

1. Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine.  Combine the apples and pears and toss in the dressing.
2. Combine the rest of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Add the dressing coated apples and toss to evenly coat the salad.  

Adapted from The Fountain Avenue Kitchen