Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Experience a delightful blend of sweet and savory with this Pear Salad featuring candied walnuts and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Each bite is a harmony of flavors, combining juicy pears, crunchy walnuts, and creamy feta cheese atop a bed of mixed greens. Perfect for any occasion, this salad transforms a simple meal into a gourmet experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ripe pears, sliced
- 4 cups mixed greens (arugula and spinach)
- 1 cup candied walnuts
- ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the candied walnuts by heating them in a skillet with ½ cup brown sugar and a pinch of salt over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, wash and dry the mixed greens, then add the sliced pears and cooled candied walnuts.
- Whisk together ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve on plates topped with crumbled feta cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad (250g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: For added sweetness, consider mixing in dried cranberries. Swap out walnuts for pecans or omit cheese for a vegan version. To maintain freshness, store dressing separately if preparing ahead of time.