Apple Salad with Vegan Cheddar and Walnuts

Apple Salad with Vegan Cheddar and Walnuts

Ingredients
Spiced Walnuts
1 cup walnuts (or use pecans or hazelnuts)
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste

Citrus Dressing
1/2 teaspoon orange zest, finely minced
Lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon shallot, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper- adjust to taste! *see notes

Apple Cheddar Salad
6 ounces lettuce mix- peppery greens are a good addition here: arugula, mizuna, cress – mixed greens
1/2 heaping cup cubed violife cheddar
2 medium apples, thinly sliced cone #4
2 scallions, minced
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or currants or fresh pomegranate seeds)
1/2 cup spiced walnuts (above)

Instructions
Make spiced walnuts. Preheat a skillet medium heat
 In a small bowl toss the walnuts, maple syrup, cinnamon, coriander, pepper, and salt to taste. Cook in skillet for  10-15 minutes, stirring ,You want to get them glazed and toasty. Remove from the heat.Let them cool completely. You can do this ahead!
Make the citrus dressing. Whisk together orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, shallot, dijon, salt and black pepper. (This makes 2/3 cup. You will have dressing left over.)
Make the salad. Toss the sliced apples in a couple teaspoons of dressing to keep them from going brown while prepping. In your serving bowl toss the salad greens with 3 tablespoons of dressing or just enough to coat. Arrange or scatter cheese, apples, scallions, cranberries, and walnuts over the greens. Drizzle a few more tablespoons of dressing over the top. Serve immediately.