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+ servings
pear salad

Autumn Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

A delightful and elegant pear salad perfect for fall, featuring fresh greens, sweet pears, crunchy walnuts, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This salad is sure to impress!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 5
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • 0.33 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2.5 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1.5 Tbsp Shallot finely diced
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Candied Walnuts
  • 0.5 cup Walnuts chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Salted butter
  • 1 Tbsp Light-brown sugar packed
Salad Components
  • 7 oz Spring salad and spinach blend
  • 2 oz Parmesan cheese shaved
  • 2 Pears sliced thin (Bartlett or Anjou recommended)
  • 0.33 cup Dried sweetened cranberries

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. In a blender, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, diced shallot, salt, and pepper to taste.
  2. Blend the mixture until well emulsified, about 20 seconds. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  3. In a medium skillet, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped walnuts and cook, stirring constantly, until caramelized, about 2 minutes. Transfer the walnuts to a plate in a single layer to cool.
  4. In a large bowl, layer the spring greens and sliced pears. Toss with the balsamic vinaigrette just before serving. Top the salad with shaved Parmesan, dried cranberries, and candied walnuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg

Notes

For an extra special touch, candy the walnuts. If serving to guests, add the dressing just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting. Feel free to experiment with different nuts and dried fruits!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!