Fig Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Fig Salad with Balsamic Glaze is a delicious and easy salad to try for this Fall. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and savory with juicy figs, crisp apples, tangy Gorgonzola cheese, and a rich balsamic glaze. Toss all of the ingredients together with your favorite greens, and you’ve got a stunning salad that’s sure to impress. It’s a perfect addition to any fall menu!
5 Tips for making a delicious fig salad
Fall is a great season for fig salads, as figs are in peak season during this time and add a sweet and earthy flavor to any dish. Here are some tips to make a delicious fig salad for the fall:
- Choose the right greens: For a base, choose greens such as arugula, kale, or mixed greens. These greens provide a great contrast to the sweetness of the figs.
- Add some crunch: Choose crispy apples, nuts such as walnuts or almonds, or even some crispy bacon bits.
- Pick the right cheese: Feta or Gorgonzola are great options to crumble over the salad. They add a tangy flavor that pairs well with the figs.
- Use a vinaigrette dressing: A balsamic vinaigrette or a honey mustard dressing are great options to drizzle over the salad. In this recipe, I made a balsamic glaze and drizzle over salad. They add a nice balance of acidity and sweetness.
- Slice the figs: Cut them into quarters and scatter them over the salad. This distributes the sweetness throughout the salad and makes sure each bite has a little bit of fig.
OTHER RECIPE IDEAS YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY:
Roasted Eggplant and Zucchini Salad
Roasted Potatoes and Green Bean Salad
Ingredients notes
Figs: are a delicious fruit with a sweet, slightly nutty taste and a chewy texture. They have a unique flavor that pairs well with a variety of foods, including savory dishes like salads. When added to a salad with balsamic glaze and Gorgonzola cheese, figs bring a subtle sweetness that balances the tangy flavor of the cheese and the acidity of the dressing.
- Apple: add crispiness and a nice crunch to the salad. Wash and cut the apple in half, then remove the core. I used a melon baller, then sliced the apple thinly.
- Lemon: Squeeze lemon juice over sliced apples to prevent browning.
- Balsamic vinegar: pairs well with figs
- Brown sugar: adds sweetness and helps the glaze thicken.
- Salt: enhances the flavor of the balsamic glaze
- Mixed greens: How about some arugula, kale, or any of your favorite greens?
- Walnuts: Also use pecans or almonds
- Gorgonzola cheese: is an Italian blue cheese. You can also use feta or goat cheese. They add saltiness and tanginess to the salad and balance the overall taste.
How to make the fig salad with balsamic glaze
Time needed: 20 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS
- SLICE THE FRUITS
Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts. Wash, trim, and slice the figs into quarters. Cut the apple in half, remove the core, then thinly slice it. Squeeze lemon juice over the apple slices to prevent browning.
- MAKE THE BALSAMIC GLAZE
Place the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles. Remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes or until the glaze thickens.
- ASSEMBLE THE SALAD
Add the mixed greens, figs, slices of apple, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese, then drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
It is best to store the salad and the dressing separately. Keep the salad ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dressing can be stored in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Mix the salad and dressing together just before serving.
If you can’t find figs, you can substitute them with other fruits such as pears or berries. For the cheese, you can use crumbled blue cheese or feta cheese instead of Gorgonzola cheese. Walnuts can be replaced with pecans or almonds.
This salad can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer. It pairs well with grilled meats or fish and also goes well with a light pasta dish or soup.
Recommended Recipes
Fig Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Salad tosser
- Serving plate
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 5-7 black figs, washed, trimmed, and sliced
- 1 apple, cored and sliced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese
Instructions
- SLICE THE FRUITS: Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts. Wash, trim, and slice the figs into quarters. Cut the apple in half, remove the core, then thinly slice it. Squeeze lemon juice over the apple slices to prevent browning.
- MAKE THE BALSAMIC GLAZE:Place the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles. Remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes or until the glaze thickens. See NOTES.
- ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:Add the mixed greens, figs, slices of apple, walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese, then drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
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