Arugula Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese and Walnuts
A simple and beautiful arugula salad everyone will love — a tasty arugula salad with pears, toasted walnuts, two kinds of cheese (blue and soft goat) and red onion all tossed in a light, lemony, honey dressing.
Equipment
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons chopped shallot about 1
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Salad
- 5 ounces prewashed arugula greens
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 green or red pear cored and sliced into 1/4" half-moons
- ⅓ cup toasted walnuts*
- 2 ounces soft goat cheese crumbled
- 2 ounces blue cheese crumbled
- ½ cup mixed microsprouts optional
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
To make the dressing:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or mini food processor until very smooth. Note: The dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Keep it refrigerated in a sealed container.
To make the salad
- Put the greens in a large bowl or on a platter. Top with the remaining ingredients.
- Drizzle with 2 or 3 tablespoons of the dressing and toss gently to coat. Serve the salad with additional dressing to taste on the side.
Notes
- Toss the salad just before serving so the greens don't become soggy.
- If you’re not making the salad right away, sprinkle the slices with lemon juice to help stop them from browning. Brown pears will still taste fine, but they don’t look as pretty on your salad.
- To toast walnuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay the nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake 10-12 minutes, until the nuts are light golden brown.
- I like to blend this dressing in a mini food processor because it emulsifies into a creamy texture. If you don't have one (or a blender) whisk the ingredients in a bowl, adding the oil last in a steady stream while you whisk. Or simply combine the ingredients in a lidded jar and shake vigorously.
- Choose pears that feels firm, but with a slight give at the top near the stem. This means the fruit is at a good stage of ripeness, not too soft (and overripe) or too hard.
Nutrition
Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 9gFat: 27gSodium: 553mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15g
