Um excuse me, but who in the WORLD said you can't make friends with salad?! Because you absolutely can.. especially when there are crispy, maple-y, sugared pecans thrown in!! 💃🏼 Which brings us to the 2nd recipe in this Christmas series .. an EPIC Maple Pecan Christmas Salad!

This will be an absolute HIT on the Christmas table, I can assure you! 🎄

Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup pecans
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons brandy (optional)
2 tablespoons brown sugar

200g cherry tomatoes, sliced
½ bunch basil, leaves torn
200g bocconcini balls
1 small brown onion, sliced
2 Lebanese cucumbers, sliced into rounds

Dressing:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic glaze
Sprinkle salt

Directions:

1. Heat frypan over medium heat, add pecans and toast for 2 minutes, stirring often. After two minutes, add the maple, sugar, brandy and cook for another 1-2 minutes until candied (be careful not to burn!).
2. In a small bowl combine cucumber, tomato, red onion, bocconcini, basil and dress with the olive oil, balsamic and salt.
3. Top with pecans and serve!