Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette Dressing

Indulge in the festive Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette dressing. This salad is perfect for the holidays, with a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors.

With holiday parties and gatherings in full swing, there's no better way to impress your friends and family than with this go-to holiday salad.

Crisp apples, candied maple pecans, crunchy bacon, and creamy blue cheese are combined with a caramelized shallot and garlic vinaigrette to create a mouthwatering dish.

EASY SALAD PREPARATION DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

What I truly love about this salad are the different salad components that can be prepped AHEAD of time! Let’s break it down:

Keep apples fresh and crisp

• To prevent apple slices from browning quickly, soak them in a mixture of water and lemon juice. This easy trick will help keep your apples looking and tasting fresh for longer.

Preparing Candied Maple Pecans

• For best results, make your candied maple pecans the day before you plan to use them. Once you've finished cooking them in a skillet, let them cool to room temperature before transferring them to the fridge to chill until needed.

Caramelized Shallot and Garlic Vinaigrette

• Begin by caramelizing a mixture of shallots and garlic in the skillet you just used to make the candied maple pecans. Then, add the mixture to a food processor with the remaining dressing ingredients. Store the dressing in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Indulge in the festive Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette dressing. This salad is perfect for the holidays, with a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors.

Servings: 4-6 Prep: 10 MIN Cook time: 20 MIN

Ingredients

• 1 - 12 oz package of uncured, no sugar bacon

• 1 - container mixed greens

• 2 large handfuls arugula

• 6 oz blue cheese

• 1 large gala apple

to make the candied maple pecans

• 1 cup raw pecans

• 1 Tbsp grass-fed butter, ghee, or coconut oil

• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp sea salt

to make the shallot vinaigrette

• 3 cloves of garlic, mashed

• 2 large shallots, thinly sliced

• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard

• ¼ cup avocado oil

• S+P to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and lay bacon out onto a tin foil lined sheet pan or wire rack baking pan. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside.

2. While the bacon is cooking, make the candied maple pecans by heating a skillet with 1 Tbsp of butter over medium heat.

3. Place pecans and syrup in the skillet, stirring constantly for about 3-5 minutes. While the syrup thickens and is coating the pecans, sprinkle seasonings over the pecans.

4. Spread the mixture out onto a parchment paper and allow to cool completely (the syrup will continue to harden as they cool). Set aside.

5. To make the dressing, add sliced shallots and mashed garlic to the same pan with 1 tbsp oil. Sauté for a few minutes until the shallots are caramelized and softened. Stir in the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and a dash of salt and pepper and let simmer for 30 seconds or so. Transfer mixture to a food processor and add dijon mustard, oil and seasonings and pulse until mixture is smooth and creamy.

6. To a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens and arugula along with apple slices, candied maple pecans, bacon (roughly chopped), blue cheese crumbles and pour in the vinaigrette and toss to combine.

7. Taste the salad and season with more salt and freshly cracked black pepper if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Making this salad for the holiday season and pushed for time? Find my go-to busy tips above with the header: EASY SALAD PREPARATION DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

Creating Delicious Food Boards for Any Occasion

As we approach the end of the holiday season, it's the perfect time to indulge in some festive treats. A well-stocked charcuterie or food board is a fantastic way to bring loved ones together. Get inspired with these fantastic food board ideas that are sure to impress at your next event, whether it's a BBQ, retreat, girl’s night or even just a family dinner!

Our recipes and individual ingredients are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free friendly, and include healthy substitutes for traditional packaged products.

Plus, you'll find my favorite serving tools, tips, tricks, and packaged clean food products to help you put together any themed board in no time!

Holiday Sweets Themed Board:

Dairy

1. Brie cheese wheel with your favorite red colored jam (strawberry)

2. Goat cheese log with cranberry cinnamon or blueberry vanilla

Produce

1. Red + green colored fruits like pomegranate arils, strawberries, apples, kiwi, grapes, etc.

Pastries

1. Your favorite go-to gluten-free crackers and thin cookies (Brands: Simple Mills, Mary’s Gone Crackers)

2. Clean store-bought brownie, cookie, and cupcake mix (Brands: Simple Mills)

3. Homemade raspberry almond thumbprint cookies, superfood dark chocolate bark or favorite go-to holiday desserts.

4. Dessert hummus like chocolate hummus

Extras

1. Dark chocolate covered nuts or dried fruits (Brands: SkinnyDipped Almonds, Barnana)

2. Dried fruits like apricots, figs, cherries, or cranberries

3. Mixed roasted nuts

4. Candy canes (Brands: YumEarth Organic)

5. Hot chocolate bar!

Christmas Wreath Themed Board:

Protein

1. Salami, summer sausage, thinly sliced prosciutto, soppressata (Brands: Applegate)

Dairy

1. Marinated mozzarella balls, cheddar, colby, and/or pepper jack cheese cubes / slices (Brands: Organic Valley)

Produce

1. Cocktail pickles, black and green olives, cherry tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts

Carbs

1. Assorted crackers variety (Brands: Simple Mills, Mary’s Gone Crackers)

Garnish

1. Fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary sprigs

Serve with

1. Balsamic glaze

2. Holiday mule cocktails

Directions

1. Gather your antipasto ingredients. Prep any that require chopping, slicing or cubing.

2. Skewer ingredients onto large toothpicks or skewers. Arrange in a wreath shape on a large round platter or serving board. Tuck rosemary, sage and thyme sprigs evenly around wreath and place a small bowl in the center with balsamic glaze.

3. Transfer to refrigerator. When ready to serve, consider adding a touch of variety by lining the outer edge with an assortment of crackers or placing a bowl of them beside the wreath.

Classic Themed Board:

Protein

1. Salami, summer sausage, thinly sliced prosciutto, soppressata, pastrami

Dairy

1. Gouda, gruyere, cheddar, Colby jack, havarti, burrata, gorgonzola, feta, goat cheese

Produce

1. Fresh fruits like grapes, berries, apples, orange slices, kiwi, pomegranate arils

2. Dried fruits like figs, dates, apricots, berries, mango

3. Veggies like mini sweet peppers, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks

Carbs

1. Your favorite crackers, chips, breads and pretzels

Extras

1. Olives, pickles, banana peppers, mixed nuts and seeds

2. Hummus

3. Guacamole

4. Olive tapenade

5. Prosciutto wrapped figs, medjool date snack

6. Dipping sauces like honey, balsamic glaze, jams

Garnish

1. Fresh herbs

Breakfast Themed Board:

Protein

1. Pork and turkey bacon, sausage links or patties, scrambled eggs, egg cups or mini quiches (Brand: Applegate)

Dairy

1. Cream cheese, plain greek yogurt (Brands: Fage, Green Valley)

Produce

1. Fresh fruit like kiwi, berries, pineapple, melon

Carbs

1. Waffles, bagels, toast, granola varieties (Brands: SimpleMills, Young Kobras, Purely Elizabeth)

Serve with

1. Warm maple syrup, nut butter, honey, assorted jams

2. Mimosas or citrus hibiscus sangria

S’mores Themed Board:

Sweets

1. Dark chocolate squares, peanut butter cups, dark chocolate covered almonds/dried fruit (Brands: Hu Kitchen, Justin’s, Enjoy Life)

2. Assorted marshmallows (Brand: No Brainer Max Mallow)

Produce

1. Fresh fruit like cherries, strawberries, blueberries, banana slices

Carbs

1. Graham crackers, cookies, pretzels (Brand: Simple Mills)

Chicken Salad Themed Lunch Bar:

Protein

1. Classic healthy chicken salad

Dairy

1. Cheese slices like gruyere, cheddar, pepper Colby jack

Produce

1. Tomato slices, mini sweet peppers, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, butter lettuce (great gluten-free / low carb version)

Carbs

1. Crackers, breads, pretzels

Garnish

1. Fresh herb like dill

Extras

1. Pickles, olives, variety of hummus flavors

2. Avocado deviled eggs

3. Condiments like mayonnaise, dijon mustard, oil and vinegar

Taco Themed Bar:

Protein

1. Grilled chicken, verde carne asada, ground beef, chicken or turkey, refried beans, black beans (Brand: Siete Foods)

Dairy

1. Sour cream, mexican cheese, cotija, queso fresco, vegan cheese sauce 

Produce

1. Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, fresh salsa, raw white onions

Carbs

1. Hard shell, tortillas, tortilla chips, rice (Brands: Siete Foods)

Garnish

1. Lime wedges, cilantro, assorted hot sauce, pickled or fresh jalapeños,

Extras

1. Pickled onions

2. Salsa verde

3. Guacamole

4. Margarita mocktail/cocktails!

Tips & Tricks

• For a well-rounded charcuterie board, it's essential to choose meats with a range of flavor profiles. This will help complement the freshness of the board's other components. Consider incorporating both spicy and mild meats for an optimal balance. The same applies to choosing hard and soft cheeses with bold signature flavors.

• For your carbs, consider mixing up with different consistencies. ie - crispy thin cracker and thick baguette slices.

• Use fruit, variety of nuts, and fresh herbs to add pops of color and to fill out your board so that there are no spaces.

• Incorporate at least two creative snacks to keep the board fun and interesting. This could look like a homemade snack or a fancy and fun flavor combo cheese log!

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OUR FAVORITE SERVING TOOLS ON AMAZON!

Protein Breakfast Biscuits

These delectable turkey high-protein breakfast biscuits pack an impressive 20g of protein per serving. Moreover, they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free, making them an excellent choice for individuals with dietary restrictions.

Finding fun, relevant, and delicious high-protein breakfast options can be a challenge for my clients. Typically, the go-to sources of protein for breakfast are eggs, protein powder, or cottage cheese. While these are all excellent protein sources when they are of high quality, it's understandable that people want to switch things up now and then. This is especially true for my clients who want to honor their southern roots while also eating healthily.

That is why I have come up with this high protein breakfast biscuit that ticks all the boxes!

WHAT MAKES THESE BISCUITS PROTEIN PACKED

High-protein biscuits can be make using plain Greek yogurt, eggs, turkey sausage, almond flour, and nutritional yeast.

The recipe suggests using lactose-free plain Greek yogurt and nutritional yeast to mimic a cheddar cheese flavor for those who are lactose intolerant, but I have make suggestions in the note section to use regular plain Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese who are not lactose intolerant.

TIPS FOR PAIRING FOOD WITH PROTEIN BISCUITS

• Breakfast: Eat one biscuit with a side of eggs, smoothie, side of yogurt, or cut straight in the middle and make and egg and bacon breakfast sandwich!

• Snack: Great as a snack as they are macro balanced (close ratio of fats to protein to carbs).

• Dinner: You can serve these biscuits alongside soup, stew or a salad.

HOW TO WARM OR REHEAT BISCUITS

Place biscuits in a warm oven or toaster oven for 5-10 minutes.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Get ready to gobble up some turkey-tastic protein breakfast biscuits, packing a whopping 20g of protein per biscuit! Best of all, they're gluten-free, dairy-free, and grain-free.

Servings: 12 Prep: 5 MIN Cook time: 15 MIN

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork or ground turkey or chicken

• 6 eggs, beaten

• 1 cup greek yogurt

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• ½ yellow onion, diced

• 1 + ½ cups almond flour

• ½ cup coconut flour

• ¼ cup nutritional yeast

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning or thyme

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. To a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat and sauté onion and peppers for about 5 minutes. Move sauté veggies to the side and add turkey sausage to the center, crumbling the meat. Let cook, stirring and crumbling meat until meat is completely browned, for about 10 minutes. Turn heat off and let mixture to cool.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and yogurt. Add in turkey mixture and incorporate. Add in the rest of the dry ingredients: almond and coconut flour, nutritional yeast, baking powder, and seasonings using a spatula until combined.

4. Using ¼ - ½ cup or large cookie scoop, make 12 evenly sized balls and place them on the sheet pan. Place in the oven for 12-16 minutes until slightly browned all over.

5. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

• If you can tolerate dairy, you can sub nutritional yeast for 1 cup of cheese and top each biscuit, before going into the oven, with shredded cheese if desired.

• Nutrition: Calories per biscuit: 192 | Total fat: 11g | Total carb: 8g | Dietary fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Protein: 17g (nutritional facts will vary)