BHA & BHT Free Watercress & Apple Salad with Fresh Goat Cheese
Peppery watercress, crisp apple slices, creamy goat cheese, and golden toasted pumpkin seeds — this salad is the kind of thing that looks effortlessly impressive and tastes even better than it looks. The homemade apple cider vinegar and honey dressing comes together in minutes and ties every element together with a bright, lightly sweet tang. Avoiding BHA and BHT can be trickier than it sounds, since those synthetic preservatives sneak into bottled dressings, packaged nuts, and even some cheeses — but every ingredient here is whole and unprocessed, so there's nothing to second-guess. Toasting the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet is a small step that pays off big, adding a nutty crunch that makes the salad feel genuinely satisfying rather than just a side thought. Fresh goat cheese crumbled over the top brings a creamy, tangy richness that balances the bite of the watercress beautifully. A scatter of fresh thyme leaves at the end is optional, but it adds an herby finish that makes the whole bowl feel a little more special. This one is easy enough for a weeknight but polished enough to put in front of guests without a second thought.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 5 oz fresh watercress, thick stems trimmed
- 2 medium crisp apples (such as honeycrisp or fuji), cored and thinly sliced
- 3 oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled
- 3 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
For the dressing
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Toast the pumpkin seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they begin to pop and turn golden, about 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely.
- 2
Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, and fine sea salt in a small bowl until the honey dissolves. Drizzle in the olive oil in a thin, steady stream while whisking continuously until the dressing is emulsified and slightly thickened.
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