Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

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!

Servings: 6 servings as a side salad

Ingredients

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

• 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 freshly ground black pepper

Pear Salad

• 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

1. (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.

2. In a mason jar, combine all of the dressing ingredients and shake until well combined.

3. In a large, shallow salad serving bowl, add your arugula greens. Top with pears and onions.

4. Sprinkle on goat cheese, cranberries, and nuts.

5. 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 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 Per Serving

     • Calories: 339 kcal

     • Carbs: 34g

     • Protein: 5g

     • Fat: 22g