Black Pepper Free Watercress & Apple Salad with Fresh Goat Cheese
Peppery heat has its place, but sometimes you want a salad that lets delicate, nuanced flavors shine without any interference. This bowl delivers exactly that — crisp apple slices, feisty watercress, and creamy crumbled goat cheese all working together in perfect harmony. The honey-and-apple-cider-vinegar dressing is bright and lightly sweet, whisked with olive oil until it emulsifies into something genuinely elegant. Toasted pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a subtle nuttiness that rounds out every bite. Because every single component here is naturally free of black pepper, there's no need to swap or substitute anything — it just works as written. A scatter of fresh thyme leaves over the top is optional but highly recommended for that extra herbal lift. This is the kind of salad that feels special enough for a dinner party but easy enough to throw together on a weeknight.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!