Apple and Goat Cheese Salad

Found this recipe at For the Love of Cooking. It called for nectarines, but they aren't in season yet so I used apples. I know I've said this about other salads, but this is really is my favorite to date.

Apple and Goat Cheese Salad

Fresh Lettuce (whatever kind you like)- I used romaine
1 apples, cored and diced
1-2 goat cheese, crumbled (Fresh and Easy has containers of already crumbled goat cheese)
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cucumber, sliced
4 leaves fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbsp. dried cranberries
2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds
1/2 cup croutons

Combine all ingredients, toss and serve with Balsamic vinaigrette.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. mustard powder or dijon mustard
1 small shallot
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. dried basil
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend. Taste and re-season if needed. Store in a sealed container and use throughout the week on salads and veggies.