Apple Pecan Feta Spinach Salad

Ingredients

• 10 oz baby spinach
• 3 small gala apples or 2 medium, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 cup pecans, toasted
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled, don't use the pre-crumbled stuff
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled, optional
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced into thin strips, optional
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. If you’re adding the red onion, set the slices in a colander and rinse with warm water for roughly 10 seconds, giving them one toss while they’re under the water to mellow the sharpness. Let them drain thoroughly.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, apples, pecans, feta, cranberries, and the bacon and red onion if you’re using them. Pour on as much dressing as you like, then toss until everything is lightly coated. Once the dressing is on, serve the salad right away.
3. For the dressing, put all of the ingredients in a medium mason jar. Twist on the lid and shake until the mixture is well combined, or whisk everything together in a bowl instead.