Description
Pear and Arugula Delight brings Mediterranean elegance to your table with crisp arugula, sweet ripe pears, and tangy balsamic drizzle. Creamy goat cheese and toasted walnuts complete this sophisticated salad that offers fresh, balanced flavors in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 ounces (141 grams) arugula
- 3 pears, any variety
- 4 to 5 ounces (113 to 142 grams) goat cheese
Nuts and Dried Fruits:
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup (60 grams) pecans, toasted and cooled
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Transform raw red onions by immersing them in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow their sharp flavor, then thoroughly drain and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
- Create a vibrant dressing by combining extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, sea salt, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper in a sealed mason jar, then vigorously shake until ingredients emulsify completely.
- Select a wide, shallow serving platter and generously spread fresh, crisp arugula leaves as the foundational layer, ensuring complete coverage of the dish’s base.
- Arrange thin, delicate slices of ripe pears atop the arugula, creating an elegant overlapping pattern, and distribute the softened onion rings evenly across the salad.
- Enhance the salad’s texture and flavor profile by sprinkling crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans over the pears and onions.
- Quickly re-shake the dressing to prevent ingredient separation, then delicately drizzle over the salad moments before serving to preserve the ingredients’ vibrant appearance and crisp texture.
Notes
- Soften raw onions by soaking them in ice water to reduce their sharp, pungent bite and create a milder, more pleasant flavor profile.
- Prepare the balsamic dressing by shaking ingredients in a mason jar, which ensures smooth blending and allows easy storage of any leftover dressing.
- Layer ingredients strategically, starting with peppery arugula as the base, then adding delicate pear slices for a sweet contrast and visual appeal.
- Enhance texture and taste by incorporating creamy goat cheese, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted pecans for a multi-dimensional salad experience.
- Dress the salad sparingly right before serving to maintain the crisp texture of greens and prevent wilting or soggy ingredients.
- Customize the salad by adjusting ingredient quantities or substituting nuts and cheese based on personal preferences or dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 215 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg