Bistro Fall Salad with Apples, Candied Pecans + Maple Balsamic Dressing

INGREDIENTS

CANDIED PECANS:

3/4 cup

chopped pecans

1 tbsp

butter

1 tbsp

coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

1/4 tsp

ground cinnamon

SALAD

8 cups

chopped romaine lettuce

large apple (cored and sliced thin)

1/2 cup

shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or blue cheese, gorgonzola, feta, or goat cheese)

MAPLE-BALSAMIC DRESSING:

1/4 cup

olive oil

1/4 cup

balsamic vinegar

3 tbsp

maple syrup

1 tsp

Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp

dried thyme

Salt and pepper