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Charoset Salad takes the wonderful flavor of traditional charoset and saladizes it, with chunky apples and dates in a fresh spinach salad, dressed with a cinnamony wine-balsamic drizzle. You’ll want it all year long, not just for Passover.
As a lifelong apple and cinnamon addict, my secret favorite part of the Passover meal was always Charoset, the sweet and sticky finely chopped apple and nut mixture served on the Passover Seder Plate.
To me, it was like chunky apple butter on steroids, like the best applesauce I EVER had, like the inside of a cinnamony apple pie, and like the best thing on the plate.
Depending on your heritage, charoset might be more like a paste or a dip, or a chunky fruit-and nut salad, and it might have apples, walnuts, cinnamon, sweet wine and honey, or raisins, figs, dates and apricots or pears. Pomegranates, grapes, date syrup and saffron might also make an appearance, depending on where your people are from.
So when I saw a recipe for Charoset Salad in the lively new cookbook “Perfect for Pesach: Passover Recipes You’ll Want to Make All Year,” by Naomi Nachman (2017; Artscroll/Shaar Press; $29.99), I stood up and saluted. {affiliate link}
Here was my longed-for, California-style interpretation of the tradition, a saladized version, all ready for prime time!
Charoset Salad takes the wonderful flavor of traditional charoset and saladizes it, with chunky apples and dates in a fresh spinach salad, dressed with a cinnamony wine-balsamic drizzle. You'll want it all year long, not just for Passover.
Ingredients
- Candied Almonds
- 1 cup blanched, sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- .
- Dressing
- 1/2 cup sweet red wine (or Cream Malaga, see note below*)
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3/4 cup oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- .
- Salad
- 5-6 ounces baby spinach OR choice of lettuce
- 3 Granny Smith apples, with peel, diced
- 8 dried dates, pitted and diced
Directions
- Prepare candied almonds: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add almonds, sugar, and cinnamon; cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sugar is dissolved — do not overcook or sugar will burn. Spread the nuts in a single layer on prepared baking pan; set aside to cool.
- Prepare the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a container; cover tightly and shake to combine.
- Assemble the salad: Add spinach, apples, dates, and candied almonds to a large bowl. Just before serving, drizzle with desired amount of dressing (you will have extra); toss to combine.
- Serves 8.
Notes
Prepare ahead: Nuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. Dressing can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge for about a week.
Cook's Tips: --Be careful when working with the candied almonds, as hot sugar can cause a painful burn. --This recipe makes a large quantity of dressing. Keep any extra in the fridge and use it to dress salads all week. --*Cream Malaga is a specially sweetened fruity wine with a generous mouth feel that has the aroma and flavor of fresh Concord grapes.
Recipe source: From "Perfect for Pesach: Passover Recipes You'll Want to Make All Year," by Naomi Nachman. Photos by Miriam Pascal. (Artscroll/Shaar Press, March 2017; $29.99)
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The cookbook
“Perfect for Pesach: Passover Recipes You’ll Want to Make All Year,” by Naomi Nachman (2017; Artscroll/Shaar Press; $29.99). The author, a chef, caterer and radio show host, has her oven mitts on the modern pulse of the home kitchen, with creative flavor combos and traditional dishes updated to today. She shares popular recipes from more than 20 years of cooking and catering for Passover. And she wants you to cook these dishes all year long, not just for the holiday week. Each of the more than 125 delicious recipes features a beautifully photographed picture by kosher blogger and cookbook author Miriam Pascal. In addition, Naomi provides numerous Cook’s Tips culled from her years of professional experience. She also includes Freezer Tips, Prep Ahead, How-to information, and recommendations for basic kitchen equipment.
Look at some of her delicious looking creations…
Quinoa Hummus
Maple Glazed Rack of Ribs
Mock Sesame Noodles
Pavlova
And for any cooks in the family, this book would make a wonderful gift. It might be a welcome new tradition to start a collection of Passover-friendly cookbooks, to spark your family’s celebrations.
Another Passover recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Bundt Cake with Coffee Glaze
Head here for Naomi’s Fudgy Chocolate Bundt Cake with Coffee Glaze. Best friends chocolate and coffee…you’ll want it. The salad and then the cake…can I call that my dinner?
Disclosure: The publisher sent a copy of the book for review.
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At ShockD, you’ll find scrumptious, tried & true, "scary good" recipes, tips and coaching to make YOU a fabulous home cook! Don't blame me if you need a 12-step program to wean yourself away!
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This looks beautiful! I’m sure it is delicious!
What a gorgeous looking salad. Now I’m intrigued to give this a try. I’ve never had charoset salad. I love all things with cinnamon too!
This salad looks delicious. I’ve never tried charoset before, so I’ll be on the lookout for it now! Thanks!
This recipe looks glorious! The colors, the sweet pear – I love the red wine with balsamic in the dressing too. This is fabulous.
I love that you shared the meaning behind the dish. I love the history and meaning of things (food included). To me it enhances the whole eating experience. It’s a beautiful salad and I know I’d enjoy it.
This looks so flavorful! I love the candied almonds! And that dressing sounds amazing too!
Look at all those good greens! Yum!
This looks SO awesome! I also LOVE apples and cinnamon!
What a unique salad! Love the candied nuts!
The crunch from those candied almonds! <3
Love the historical significance of this salad!
I’ve never tried charoset before, but I definitely want to give it a go now! This sounds utterly delicious!
This looks so fresh and colorful. I also love apple and cinnamon so I know I’d love this salad. I’ll have to try it.
This looks fantastically fresh and colorful!
I’ve never heard of this dish. Love the flavors happening, especially the cinnamon.
I’m really LOVING the flavors in this salad! Cinnamon? YUM!
Didn’t know this Charoset salad but I like everything in it and I have everything at home right now so I’ll try it soon!
What a great looking salad! Beautiful colors 🙂
This is my first time hearing of a charoset salad – sounds amazing!
I’ve never heard of Charoset Salad before but it sounds wonderful and love that there’s meaning to the dish. Looks fantastic!