Pear Salad Recipe

I just made this pear salad and it blew my mind how a bunch of simple greens, sliced pears, tangy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts can turn into a dish that feels both fancy and super easy to whip up, even if i’m no chef at all.

I think this pear salad is a healthy dish with balanced nutrition. I love combining sliced ripe pears with mixed salad greens and tangy goat cheese.

Toasted walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and honey give it fiber, vitamins and healthy fats while salt and pepper balance the taste.

Ingredients

• Fresh, sweet, and fibery pears boost flavor and add healthy natural fibre.
• Mixed salad greens provide crunch, vitamins, and essential minerals in each bite.
• Creamy goat cheese adds tangy protein and rich flavor to the salad.
• Toasted walnut pieces contribute healthy fats and a crunchy nutty taste overall.
• Extra virgin olive oil creates a smooth, heart friendly dressing for balanced flavor.
• Lemon juice and honey combine for a zippy, sweet and sour finishing kick.
• Salt and pepper offer a pinch of zest that perfectly season without overpowering.
• Extra dressing: A splash of dressing ties all the flavors together brilliantly, making salad shine.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 riped pears, cored and sliced thin
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese (or blue cheese if you prefer)
• 1/3 cup toasted walnut pieces
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Place 4 cups of mixed salad greens in a large bowl.

2. Add the 2 sliced pears that you’ve cored and sliced thin.

3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of crumbled goat cheese (or blue cheese if you’d rather) evenly over the salad.

4. Toss in 1/3 cup toasted walnut pieces so they mix in well.

5. In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon honey.

6. Whisk the dressing until it looks well mixed.

7. Pour the dressing over the salad slowly.

8. Gently toss everything together so the dressing coats all the ingredients.

9. Add salt and pepper to taste.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh pear salad!

Equipment Needed

1. A large mixing bowl to hold the salad greens and other ingredients; it helps keep the vitamins in the greens intact.
2. A cutting board for slicing the pears; making sure you have a stable surface is key to avoid accidents.
3. A sharp chef knife to core and slice the pears thinly, ensuring even texture and nutrient distribution.
4. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately portion the cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and honey so you maintain the right balance of fats and acids.
5. A small bowl for mixing the dressing ingredients together, which is important for the flavor and the healthy fats in the olive oil.
6. A whisk for blending the dressing thoroughly, to ensure the honey and lemon juice mix well with the olive oil.
7. Salad serving utensils, like tongs or large spoons, to gently toss the salad so every bite has a proper mix of flavor and nutrition.

FAQ

• Q: Can I use blue cheese instead of goat cheese?
  A: Yeah, you can totally use blue cheese if thats your thing, it gives the salad a different, but tasty flavor.
• Q: What type of pears works best for this salad?
  A: Use ripe pears, like Bartletts or Bosc, because they are soft enough to slice thinly while still keeping a bit of crispness.
• Q: How soon should I eat the salad once it’s made?
  A: It’s best to enjoy it fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for up to a day; just keep the dressing separate if possible.
• Q: What can I do if I dont have toasted walnuts?
  A: You can use any other toasted nuts, like pecans or almonds, though walnuts add that perfect crunch and flavor.
• Q: How do I make sure the salad dressing is balanced?
  A: Adjust the lemon juice and honey a bit so it’s not too sour or too sweet, its all about finding that perfect flavor combo.

Pear Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of ripe pears, you can use thinly sliced apples like Honeycrisp for a similar crunch
• If you don’t have mixed salad greens on hand, baby spinach or even romaine lettuce works great too
• You can swap goat cheese with feta or even a soft blue cheese if you want a different tangy flavor
• Toasted walnut pieces can be replaced by pecans or slivered almonds if thats what you have
• If fresh lemon juice and honey aren’t available, try mixing a bit of apple cider vinegar with a touch of maple syrup as a backup

Pro Tips

1. Try to slice the pears really thin so they mix better with the greens because thicker pieces can sometimes change the texture of the salad and make it a bit uneven.
2. When you toast the walnut pieces, keep an eye on them; they can burn pretty fast which will add a bitter taste, so take them off the heat as soon as they turn a light brown color.
3. Mix your dressing thoroughly before you pour it over the salad. If you add the ingredients separately, some parts might end up too sour or too sweet.
4. Season your salad at the end with salt and pepper, but add just a tiny bit first, give it a taste, then adjust; you can always add more but there’s no fixing an overly salty salad.