Crunchy and Sweet: Apple Endive Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts and Sage Vinaigrette

This is it, friends. The best fancy(ish) fresh and flavorful salad that’s both healthy and delicious; apple endive salad with maple candied walnuts and sage vinaigrette! This salad is a perfect mix of sweet and savory, with the crunchy texture of endive, the sweetness of apples, and the nuttiness of maple candied walnuts, all topped with a sweet and aromatic sage vinaigrette. 

This new recipe is the perfect choice for those who want to elevate their salad game and impress their guests with a dish that’s both wholesome and oh-so-tasty. So, put on your chef’s hat and get ready to create a salad that will make your taste buds dance!

What is Endive?

Endive is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the chicory family. It has a slightly bitter taste and a crunchy texture, and its leaves are typically used in salads or as a vessel for dips and spreads.

Endive comes in two varieties: Belgian endive, which is grown in the dark and has a cylindrical shape, and curly endive, which has curly leaves and is often used as a garnish or in salads. Endive is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy addition to any diet.

How to Cut Endive For Salad

Start with a few heads of endive leaves. Wash the leaves and then gently pat them dry.  I would not recommend using salad spinners for these delicate leaves. 

To cut a head of endive for a salad, first, remove any damaged or wilted outer leaves. Then, cut off the bottom of the endive, where the root was attached. Next, separate the leaves of the endive by gently pulling them apart, being careful not to break them. You can then chop the endive leaves into bite-sized pieces, or leave them whole for a more elegant presentation. Endive leaves can also be used as a scoop or vessel for dips and spreads, making them a versatile ingredient for any recipe.

What are the Health Benefits of Endive?

Endive is a nutritious and low-calorie vegetable that offers a range of health benefits. Here are some of the key benefits of consuming endive:

High in fiber: Endive is a good source of dietary fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation.

Low in calories: Endive is a low-calorie vegetable that is perfect for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Rich in vitamins and minerals: Endive is a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and calcium, which are essential for maintaining optimal health.

Contains antioxidants: Endive contains antioxidants such as kaempferol and quercetin, which help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

May help lower cholesterol: Some studies have suggested that endive may help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in the blood, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Why You Will Love This Salad

There are several reasons why people will enjoy this apple endive salad with maple candied walnuts and sage vinaigrette. 

The combination of sweet and savory flavors makes it a truly satisfying and delicious meal. The endive and apples provide a refreshing crunch, while the maple candied walnuts add a nutty sweetness to the mix. The sage vinaigrette, with its aromatic and tangy flavors, perfectly ties everything together and elevates the dish to the next level.

You will love its health benefits. Endive is a low-calorie vegetable that’s high in fiber and nutrients, making it an excellent choice for those looking to eat healthier. Apples are also a good source of fiber and antioxidants, while walnuts contain healthy fats and protein. The combination of these ingredients in this salad provides a healthy and satisfying meal that can help support overall health and well-being.

It’s fancy but not really.  There’s something about endive salads that really step up the salad game. However, surprise…this is such a simple salad to make!  All you will need is a few fresh vegetables and dressing ingredients, and you’ll be on your way to making a great salad that looks like it took a while to make.

Your tastebuds and guests will love this unique salad.  It’s a side salad that has never been replicated. One that will be unforgettable.  

It’s perfect for any season. This apple endive salad recipe is great eaten over the winter months and makes a great Christmas salad recipe.  But, it also is one of those festive salads that can be served any time of year.

Overall, this apple endive salad with maple candied walnuts and sage vinaigrette is a tasty and healthy dish sure to please everyone. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing lunch or a flavorful side dish, this salad is a great choice to satisfy and energize you.

Other Optional Toppings

The combination of flavors is really ideal, I am not going to lie.  However, I am going to list a few other ingredients that can add to your salad and its heartiness if your little heart desires. 

Your favorite cheese: While I am a vegan, I recognize that a traditional endive salad typically has something like blue cheese, goat cheese, or feta cheese.  Go for it, if you want! 

Onion: You could definitely add a little thinly sliced shallot or red onion or even some caramelized onion to the top of this salad.

More protein: I like to personally add avocado chunks, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or chick peas if I am wanting additional protein.  You could add hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon bits, or chicken chunks if you are looking to make this a main course. 

Something sweet:  If you dig more of a sweet salad, you could always add red grapes, golden raisins, sun-dried tomato pieces, orange segments, or craisins. 

The Ingredient List

Green and red endive leaves: This is the base of this salad.

Arugula leaves: I love how this green balances out the bitter endive leaves, perfectly. 

Picked radishes: Talk about adding fun to your salad.  Have you ever had pickled radishes before? It really does the trick taking the “bite” out of radishes.

Apples: The goal is to use the sweetest and most ripe versions.  I personally really enjoy Fuji apples for this recipe.

Maple candied walnuts: This is hands down required for this salad. LOL.  They are super easy to make and perfectly balance out all of the flavors.  Oh, and good news.  They are dairy-free! 

Sage vinaigrette: I know you’ve added fresh herbs to your salad dressing before.  But, have you ever thought to add fresh minced sage?  It takes this salad to an entirely unique level.  The ingredients include olive oil, champagne vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, minced sage, salt, and black pepper. 

How to Make This Vegan Endive Salad

Step one: Make the pickled radishes.  Add all of the ingredients to a large mason jar.  Add the lid and give it all a good shake.  Store the radishes in the fridge for at least 2 hours before using.

Step two: Make the candied walnuts.  Grab a saute pan over medium heat and add the vegan butter. Once it is melted, add in the walnuts.  While stirring constantly, cook them in the butter for about 1 minute.

Add the maple syrup and a pinch of salt.  Continue stirring non-stop while they caramelize in the maple syrup.  This should take about 3 additional minutes or so.  Do not allow them to burn or overcook them. Immediately transfer them to a plate lined with parchment paper.  Spread them out so they are not touching and allow them to cool for at least 20 minutes.

Step three: To a large bowl, add a bed of endive and arugula leaves.  Next, add the remaining toppings including the pickled radishes, thinly sliced apple chunks. and candied walnuts.  Drizzle enough dressing to suit your taste buds and serve immediately. 

How to Serve an Endive Salad

The best thing about this beautiful salad is having to use a knife.  Yep, you heard me.  That is literally the fun and fancy part.  While you can definitely chop everything up in bite-sized pieces before serving, how boring is that though? LOL!  Make sure to serve this salad without tossing it and with a knife and fork.  The endive will need to be cut into smaller pieces. 

Tips + Modifications

Be intentional with the apples you choose!  Green granny smith apples are a little too sour for this recipe and on the other side, a more dull variety, like a basic red apple, may not be sweet enough.  Grab yourself an apple that is ripe, in season, juicy and sweet.

I recommend not tossing the dressing into the salad.  Instead, allow each person to drizzle as much as they desire and then eat as is.

To save on time, you can certainly purchase candied walnuts from a health food store such as Trader Joe’s if you would like.

Just a little side note about pickled radishes. They do not smell the best however do not judge them based on their aroma. Pickled radishes taste great! And, they will last for at least a week in the fridge.

Other Delicious Plant-Based Salad Recipes

I love a salad with fresh herbs. That’s why I highly recommend this Spring Vegetable Salad with Fresh Mint Dressing. You will love it!

If you want to check out some of my favorite salads, check out these 7 Healthy Salads You Need to Eat in 2023!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle