Apple & Manchego Cheese Salad

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that Mr. Devilish Dish is obsessed with his smoker.  Don't get me wrong, some of the stuff we've smoked has been fun and delicious.  (Crab legs, pizza rolls, queso, etc...) I don't mind the smoked meats and main courses so much, but I get pretty tired of the traditional barbecue side dishes.  I make a mean Macaroni and Cheese but I don't want it every weekend.  Now my husband on the other hand will always suggest, "Baked Beans and Potato Salad?"  NO!  I don't want those that often and I sure don't want them as often as he wants to use his smoker.  So I'm constantly on the search for non-traditional side dishes that still go well with barbecue and smoked meats.  Last week we went to Colorado to see the Devilish Nephew, his beautiful bride and the Littlest Devils.  OF COURSE the men had to smoke something, and of course it was pork ribs much to the chagrin of the women.  However, the meal was redeemed by my side dishes which were a "little less caveman around the fire" and a "little more ladies who lunch."  I did make the macaroni and cheese because when is that not a hit??? And I made a Jalapeno Popper Cucumber Salad (coming soon) AND this salad.  Which was a huge hit.  It's light and crisp and so simple.  It was an ideal accompaniment to any meal, but apples always compliment pork so it made a great side for the this particular evening.  The cool, crisp and tangy salad was so good alongside the hearty and spicy ribs.  Of course we rounded out the meal with my Peach Cobbler, using those famous Colorado Palisades Peaches.  Give this one a go!  It's only 5 ingredients, goes together quickly and makes a light and healthy side or lunch.

This light and crisp salad is the perfect compliment
for any meal, especially pork.  

Manchego cheese is delicious in this salad.
It has a soft texture and grates well, similar
to Swiss but with a slightly nutty, salty 
flavor similar to a light Parmesan.
It was so flavorful I didn't even add salt or pepper. 

This light salad makes a lovely presentation
in a pretty salad bowl.  Make sure you cut your 
apples into consistent-sized matchsticks.

All you need is the juice of one lemon,
and only olive oil for the dressing.  Trust 
me, the flavors of the ingredients are so 
good, it doesn't need much for them to 
shine through.

An ideal side dish for any meal, 
ESPECIALLY if you have a lot of barbecues
or serve a lot of smoked meat.  This is a 
light and tasty accompaniment, and a 
welcome change from the traditional barbecue
side dishes.

APPLE & MANCHEGO CHEESE SALAD

2 Honeycrisp Apples, cut into matchsticks
2 Granny Smith Apples, cut into matchsticks
1 lemon, juiced
6 ounces Manchego Cheese, grated
2 Tablespoons freshly chopped Chives
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil


Place chopped apples into a bowl, and immediately toss them with lemon juice to prevent browning.  Add in the grated Manchego cheese, chives and olive oil.  Toss together.  Serve immediately, so refrigerate a few hours before serving.  This is at its best when served the same day, but I have found it will keep for about 2 days before the apples lose their crispness.