Apple Pistachio Salad (served over greens)

This sweet and savory apple pistachio salad is reminiscent of the classic Waldorf salad with a few twists. Pistachios are used in place of walnuts and vegan yogurt is swapped in mayonnaise. Crisp and slightly sweet, this easy and tasty salad is a good companion for spicy dishes.

This version also adds plenty of leafy greens — choose between mixed baby greens or arugula, whose peppery flavor is a perfect foil for the sweet flavors in this salad. See our Guide to Baby Greens to learn more about why we love them.

In praise of pistachios

And a generous topping of pistachios adds another yum factor to the salad. Touted for their good fats, high protein, and fiber content, and antioxidant content, pistachios are true superfoods. An excellent source of vitamin B6, thiamin, magnesium. Touted for their good fats, high protein, and fiber content, and antioxidant content, pistachios are true superfoods.

They’re also the lowest calorie nut, with just 160 calories per ¼ cup serving. This is particularly helpful for anyone trying to manage their weight since they’re much more satiating than most other comparable snacks. Here’s a look at the full nutrition profile of pistachios. See our Guide to Pistachios for lots more ideas and recipes for using them.

What kind of meals go with this salad: Honestly, this salad goes with any kind of meal that doesn’t contain overlapping ingredients. It’s great served with a wide array of Asian-style meals, especially noodles dishes that may need a boost of produce on the plate. It’s also wonderful with Indian and South Asian dishes that benefit from the palate-cooling yogurt and apples in the salad.

Recipe is from Vegetariana by Nava Atlas. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.

Explore more …

• Arugula and Apple Waldorf-Style Salad with Grapes
• Summer Spnach and Berries Salad
• Golden, Sweet, and Purple Potato Salad with Arugula

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Yield: 4 to 6

Apple Pistachio Salad (served over greens)

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Crisp and slightly sweet, this easy and tasty salad is a good companion for spicy dishes.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 medium crisp apples, cored and diced (try using two red and one green for visual appeal)
• ¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries
• 2 medium celery stalks, thinly sliced on the diagonal
• 2/3 cup (or one 6-ounce container) plain vegan yogurt (coconut, cashew, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon fresh or bottled lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon agave or maple syrup
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Mixed baby greens or baby arugula
• ½ cup shelled pistachios

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients except the greens and pistachios in a mixing bowl and toss together gently.
2. Line a serving platter with greens and mound the salad over them. Scatter the pistachios over the top. Serve at once.

Notes

Variation: Swap out one of the apples for a ripe, firm pear (any variety).

See lots more plant-forward salads & sides.