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Apple Salad with Apple Pie Vinaigrette
An infused vinegar with apple pie notes complements a festive salad
Jonathan Ng
December 10, 2024
Festive colors in a festive salad
Today’s post is another entry in our Edible Gifts series. In a previous post, I made an infused olive oil inspired by aglio e olio. This time around, I’m making an infused vinegar inspired by apple pie.
An infused vinegar is a vinegar with added flavors. It can be used anywhere you would use a vinegar; think in a salad as part of a vinaigrette, splashed into a soup at the end to brighten it up, or even mixed with soy sauce as a dipping sauce for dumplings.
This recipe is easy to make, but the vinegar takes time to infuse (give it at least two weeks), so start right away if you want to gift this in time for Christmas (although your giftee will be happy with it any time of the year).
We start with apple cider vinegar, which provides both the vinegar base and the apple notes. We warm it up gently and pour the hot vinegar into a sterilised glass container containing all our infusing flavorings. To get that apple pie taste, I’ve used whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. For a slightly spicy hint, I’ve also added black pepper and ginger, and rounded it off with lemon peel for a citrusy finish.
Once cool, seal your container and put it in a cool, dry place; your refrigerator is perfect. Every few days, give it a light shake to aid the infusion process. It should be ready in two weeks, but if you have time, give it an extra weeks to extract the maximum flavor.
Apple Pie Vinegar
Intermediate · Active 10m · Total 10m · Makes 1 cup
Bottled apple pie (vinegar)
I was inspired to create an infused vinegar based on apple pie flavors. Apple cider vinegar provides the vinegar base and the apple notes. For a slightly spicy hint, I’ve also added black pepper and ginger, and rounded it off with lemon peel for a citrusy finish.
Preparation
250 ml apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cloves
3 star anise
1 stick cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cardamom pods
1 tsp black peppercorn
3 pieces of ginger
Peel of 1 lemon
1. Combine the spices, ginger slices and lemon peel in a jar.
2. Heat the apple cider vinegar in a pot over medium heat until it is simmering but not boiling.
3. Pour the hot apple cider vinegar into the jar with the spice and lemon mixture. Allow to cool completely, then seal tightly.
Infusion
1. Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, shaking it every few days to mix.
2. After two weeks, strain the infused vinegar into a clean bottle through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove solids. Store in a cool place; your fridge is ideal.
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So how do you use your newly infused apple pie vinegar? I decided to whip up an apple salad with feta, walnuts and dried cranberry for the festive vibes.
Apple Salad with Feta, Walnuts and Dried Cranberry
Intermediate · Active 10m · Total 10m · Serves 4
This salad contains no actual apple pie
A classic apple salad is made festive with the addition of dried cranberry. The saltiness of the feta, crunch of the walnut, and sharpness of the raw red onion contrasts with the tangy sweetness of the apple.
Apple Pie Vinaigrette
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple pie vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, apple pie vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. I like to make my vinaigrette in a reusable jar so I can shake it up to get an easy emulsion.
Apple Salad
50 grams walnut
1 head lettuce
4 apples
1/2 red onion
100 grams feta
50 grams dried cranberry
1. If using untoasted walnuts, heat the oven to 160ºC (320ºF) and toast the nuts for 8 minutes, or until toasted. Allow the walnuts to cool.
2. Peel each apple and slice it into quarters lengthwise. Remove the core, then cut each piece in half. You should have 8 pieces per apple.
3. Slice the onion into thin half-moons.
4. Chop the lettuce or tear the leaves into smaller pieces.
5. Cube or crumble the feta.
6. To a large mixing bowl, add the lettuce, apple, onion, walnut, dried cranberry and feta.
To Finish
1. Whisk or shake up the Apple Pie Vinaigrette to emulsify.
2. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the Apple Salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Serve.
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