Arugula Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Warm Cider Vinaigrette
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Talk about a multi tasking salad! This one is loaded with all things good and nutritious; from beta carotene, (among other important nutrients), packed butternut squash, to Omega 3 loaded walnuts. Arugula, which is a super food, is loaded with Vitamins A, C and folate, and provides 100% of your daily Vitamin K intake, which is important for blood clotting.
INGREDIENTS:
1 (1 ½-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
Good olive oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry or pre-washed bagged
1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place the squash on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cider is reduced to about ¼ cup. Off the heat, whisk in the mustard, ½ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture and the walnuts. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten, and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
