Fall Apple Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Who doesn't love fall?  Fall is the most amazing season for all senses.  I love the beautiful colors, the smell of the leaves, the fresh apples and pumpkin... mmmm fall is completely amazing. 

One of my favorite things to do in fall is go to the Apple Festival. Apples everywhere! Apple dumplings, apple pie, apple crisp, apple smoothies, apple ice cream, it's just amazing.  I always come home with bags and bags of fresh crisp apples.  yum!

I wanted to expand my apple horizons and made this salad, which is very closely related to my summer spinach and beet salad, only it has an amazing fall taste.  I honestly could eat this salad every day.  It's so super amazingly easy and delicious! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 crispy apple, sliced and drizzled with lemon juice
1 bag of spinach or organic mixed greens
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
3 oz creamy goat cheese

Dressing:
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 Tablespoon white wine vinegar (apple cider vinegar would be awesome too, but I didn't have any)
2 T pure maple syrup
1 T fresh lemon juice (you can add the zest too!)
Fresh ground salt and pepper

Directions:
For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, vinegar, maple syrup and lemon juice.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the salad by placing the spinach in a salad bowl, followed by the sliced apples, toasted pecans, and goat cheese.  Drizzle over the maple dressing. YUM!!