Description
This pear and goat cheese salad is so warm and inviting. It has toasted candied walnuts and a balsamic vinaigrette to top it off. I love putting it over a bed of arugula or artisan lettuce!
Ingredients
Scale
Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (or avocado, grapeseed, canola)
- 3/4 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp honey
- Pinch of salt/cracked black pepper
Candied Walnuts
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pear and Goat Cheese Salad
- 3-4 pears, sliced
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 4-5 cups lettuce (see above recommendations, I like artisan, spinach, arugula and spring greens)
- Optional add in's: Beets, cucumber, avocado, mushrooms, pomegranate seeds.
Instructions
- Make homemade balsamic dressing by adding all the ingredients to a mason jar. Shake well to incorporate. If you have an immersion blender, blend ingredients together until creamy.
- To make the candied walnuts, combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir until each walnut is coated. Place nut mixture on medium-low heat in a saute pan. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently being careful not to burn. Remove from heat after 2 minutes and place aside to cool.
- Layer lettuce, sliced pears and crumbled goat cheese on a serving platter or in a large bowl. Top with cooled candied walnuts and dressing with balsamic dressing prior to serving.
Notes
Ideas to make this salad a meal: Add a maple glazed salmon filet, add a cooked chicken breast, shrimp or flank steak.
See ideas above for additional add-in's.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Assemble
- Cuisine: American
