Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is an elegant autumn dish with a stunning presentation. Sweet pears, peppery arugula, tangy Craisins, and crunchy nuts create perfect flavors!
Ingredients
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Pear Salad Ingredients:
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 5 oz arugula
- 3 pears, any variety
- 4 to 5 oz goat cheese
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and cooled
Instructions
- (Optional) Soak the onions in a small bowl of ice water for 10 minutes to remove some of their harsh flavors. Drain well, and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a mason jar, combine all of the salad ingredients and shake until well combined.
- In a large shallow salad serving bowl, add your arugula greens. Top with pears and onions.
- Sprinkle on goat cheese, cranberries, and nuts.
- Shake your dressing again if it has separated and drizzle it over the salad just before serving. You can serve with or without tossing; it’s prettier if you don’t toss it, and don’t worry, the dressing will work its way down to the greens.
Notes
Variations:
- Apples - Any crisp apple works well, or combine apple with pear
- Pomegranate Arils - Swap dried cranberries for juicy pomegranate seeds
- Berries - Add blackberries for a pop of color.
- Citrus - Peel a clementine or blood orange and cut it into crosswise rings
- Fresh Figs - Quarter fresh figs and add them to the top
- Nuts - Experiment with walnuts, pine nuts, sliced almonds, chopped cashews, or even our candied pecans.
- Prosciutto - For a little salty bite, try adding ribbons of prosciutto
- Greens - Use mixed salad greens, baby spinach, or even baby kale
- Cheese - Try shaved parmesan cheese, gorgonzola, a mild blue cheese, or feta cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Serving Size
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
339
% Daily Value*
Fat
22
g
34
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
13
g
Cholesterol
9
mg
3
%
Sodium
198
mg
9
%
Potassium
181
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
34
g
11
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
25
g
28
%
Protein
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
224
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
49
mg
5
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
