Description
Indulge in the sophisticated flavors of Pear Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, a delightful autumn dish that combines sweet pears, tangy cranberries, peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy toasted pecans. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a light meal any day of the week, this salad is not only visually stunning but also a crowd-pleaser. With its quick preparation time and versatile ingredients, you can easily customize it to suit your taste or seasonal availability. Enjoy this healthy dish that elevates any dining experience with its vibrant colors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ripe pears (any variety), thinly sliced
- 5 ounces arugula
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 to 5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, toasted and cooled
- For Balsamic Vinaigrette: ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak sliced onions in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow their flavor; drain and pat dry.
- In a mason jar, mix vinaigrette ingredients: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake until emulsified.
- In a large bowl, layer arugula as the base followed by pears and onions. Top with goat cheese, cranberries, and pecans.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad just before serving for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg