This Sweet Potato & Apple Salad is topped with a delicious homemade basil vinaigrette and packed with so much flavor. A bed of tender butter lettuce is topped with sweet potatoes, tart green apples, creamy feta, crunchy almonds and lots more!
Isn’t it a little ridiculous how dependent we are on smart phones these days? How did we ever live without them? The other day I left my house, and 2 minutes out of my driveway I realized that I had left my phone at home. Seized with panic, I considered turning around. But I had the baby and getting her in the car seat is a major feat so undoing that… no. And since people are totally cray these days and I if I even thought of leaving her in the car for 15 seconds to run in the house, I feel like nosy neighbors and the cops would be on my doorstep instantly. So that wasn’t an option.
I had to take a deep breath and continue on my way. Of course the entire 2 mile ride to the post office I kept thinking well, what if I break down? I’m going to break down. What if I get lost? I mean, I’ve only lived here for 4 years, it’s completely possible that I’d get lost on the way to the post office, two miles from my house. (All sarcasm aside, this actually is a possibility for me. Navigation is not my strong suit.)
But seriously, whenever I drive without my phone I am overcome with this gripping anxiety that I am going to break down. Even if I’m only going 2 miles and– worst case scenario– I could easily walk home. Anyone else? How did my parents ever allow me to drive before cell phones existed?? (Ok, I’m not that old. But I did start driving before every tween had their own phone, and certainly before phones could get you un-lost or to the nearest gas station.)
Once I got to the post office, during lunchtime of course, there was a super long line. And how many times did I mindlessly fish in my purse or reach for my back pocket? At least a million. Seriously. How did we pass the time back in the day? I had to peruse the customs forms for 20 minutes.
When I finally got home less than 30 minutes later, I practically tackled my phone, expecting to see what? Twenty-two missed calls? And guess what? Nothing. Not a single missed call. No texts, no snaps, no notifications of any kind.
So… I guess it is possible to survive 30 minutes without your phone. Good to know!
Things it’s not possible to survive without: this Sweet Potato & Apple Salad with Basil Vinaigrette. It is seriously THE BEST. A friend made this salad for me recently, on one of our mommy-baby lunch dates. It was love at first bite and I was all like OMG I NEED THIS RECIPE.
So here it is. So many great flavors and textures– sweet potatoes, tart green apples, creamy feta and crunchy almonds. Plus lots more. And the best dressing everrr. Because fresh basil. To die for. Chicken on top is optional but helps make it more of a meal!
I love this salad because Molly and I can share– she loved the sweet potatoes, avocados and chicken! I hardly ever use butter lettuce because I’m usually trying to pack in the nutrients with spinach or kale. But it was perfect in here for soaking up the dressing and really letting it shine. I need to use it more often! If you’re still on your New Years diet, this is the perfect healthy meal for you.
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped into small pieces
- 2 tsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- 1 large head butter lettuce, washed and torn
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- ½ cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Grilled chicken (optional)
- For the dressing:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Toss chopped sweet potato with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Spread on a baking pan and roast 15-20 minutes, until tender. Remove from oven and let cool on pan.
- In a large bowl, combine lettuce, apple, avocado, almonds, feta and cooked sweet potato. Top with chicken, if desired.
- To make the dressing: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Serve salad with dressing drizzled over top.
Such a healthy, easy, and nutrients-dense recipe, Jess! I will have to try it soon!