Pear Salad With Balsamic Dressing
A fresh salad of mixed greens, pears, walnuts, cranberries and crumbled cheese tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ?3 tablespoons 45 mlextra virgin olive oil
- ?2 tablespoons 30 mlbalsamic vinegar
- ?1 tablespoonDijon mustard
- ?1 teaspoonhoney
- ?1 clovegarlicpressed or very finely minced
- ?1/2 teaspoonsalt
- ?1/4 teaspoonground black pepper
- ?3 medium pearsstems and seeds removed then thinly sliced
- ?1 teaspoonlemon juice
- ?6 cups 120 gsalad mix leavesor any greens
- ?1/2 cupwalnutsplain roasted or candied
- ?1/2 cupsweetened dried cranberriesor pomegranate seeds
- ?1/2 cupcrumbled feta cheeseor gorgonzola cheese
Instructions
Instructions
- Make the dressing: in a small bowl or jar combine 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 pressed or very finely minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Whisk or shake until the dressing is emulsified and creamy.
- Prepare the pears: remove stems and seeds from the 3 medium pears and thinly slice them. Place the slices in a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and toss to coat; set aside.
- Assemble the salad: in a large bowl add 6 cups (120 g) salad mix leaves. Add half of the sliced pears, half of the ½ cup walnuts, and half of the ½ cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Add the dressing to the large bowl and toss gently until the leaves and ingredients are lightly coated, taking care not to break the pear slices.
- Transfer the dressed salad to a serving dish and top with the remaining sliced pears, the remaining walnuts, the remaining crumbled feta, and ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Large Salad Bowl
Notes
Choose pears that are firm, and flavorful. Pears come in many varieties, and while any of them will work, the best pears for salads are Bartlet or Anjou varieties.
It’s also important that your pears are ripe. Give them a gently squeeze to check.
Toss the pears with lemon juice soon after slicing them to keep the fruit from browning.
This salad is best enjoyed right away, so avoid making it too early.
Un-dressed leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days in the fridge. The ingredients may soften a bit during that time though.
It’s also important that your pears are ripe. Give them a gently squeeze to check.
Toss the pears with lemon juice soon after slicing them to keep the fruit from browning.
This salad is best enjoyed right away, so avoid making it too early.
Un-dressed leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days in the fridge. The ingredients may soften a bit during that time though.