Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts: A Sweet, Crunchy, and Tangy Delight
Why You’ll Love This Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts
Hi, foodies! If you’re looking for a salad that’s a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy, this Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts is just what you need. This young spring food takes the delicious flavor of ripe pears and mixes it with the crispness of candied walnuts and the sourness of gorgonzola cheese (or any sour cheese you prefer). A lovely accompaniment to other dishes and a delicious appetizer or light lunch, it works well for autumn and holiday entertaining or if you wish to enjoy a simple, tasty salad.
That was the first time I tried it during dinner in autumn, and it has become a regular dish for meals with friends or just a simple, healthy meal for lunch. This arrangement of the various flavors and texture make each bite so enjoyable. It can also be easily altered to your preference, so if cheese is not your thing, you prefer to include dried fruits, or if you’d like to try any particular greens, you can easily do that. Let me take you into more detail about this delicious salad!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts will be your new favorite:
- Perfect Flavor Balance: Fresh fruits, especially pears, crispy candied walnuts, and yummy cheese scrumptious are the perfect platinum words for this delightful array of edibles.
- Quick and Easy: This salad is so fast to prepare that you will use it for a quick weeknight meal or a last-minute party.
- Customizable: To these, you can play around with what you add—substitute the cheese, including dried cranberries, or opt for pecans instead of walnuts.
- Great for Any Occasion: This salad is excellent as a side dish to be served at a dinner party, or it can also be the lunch itself.
Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts: A Sweet, Crunchy, and Tangy Delight
Course: Salads, SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes7
minutes300
kcalThis Pear and Candied Walnut Salad is fresh greens with pear slices, candied walnuts and gorgonzola cheese, Drizzled with a balsamic honey dressing. This is great balance of flavors and textures for casual or formal events!
Ingredients
4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or your favorite mix)
One ripe pear, thinly sliced
1/4 cup candied walnuts (recipe below)
1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese (or goat cheese, blue cheese)
1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
For the Candied Walnuts:
1/2 cup walnuts
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp butter
For the Balsamic Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
Sliced apples for extra sweetness
Dried cherries instead of cranberries for a tangier bite
Feta or goat cheese for a lighter, creamier alternative to gorgonzola
Directions
- Make the Candied Walnuts
In a faint skillet, place the butter and melt it over a medium flame. Mix in the walnuts and sugar, constantly stirring until the sugar has melted and glazed the walnuts. There is the usual blanch, transfer food in the syrup, cook for at least 3-5 minutes, then pour candied walnuts onto parchment paper to cool. - Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper for the dressing. A particular word here for taste: Adjust the seasoning per your preference. Set aside. - Assemble the Salad
First, you must dress your mixed greens, take a small portion of the dressing, and mix it with the greens in a large bowl. Finally, if desired, mix in the sliced pear, candied walnuts, crumbled gorgonzola, and dried cranberries. Spoon more dressing over the top and then mix everything lightly. - Serve and Enjoy!
This salad should be served right after tossing to enhance its flavor. Due to the use of fresh pears and crispy walnuts, the salad will look vivid and taste fresh: it can be served as a side dish or a main course.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For the salad to stay fresh, do not add the dressing until you are ready to eat it. The candied walnuts and dressing can be made in advance, but slice the pear just before serving to prevent browning. Best served immediately, before the chips lose their crunch.
Types of Customizations for Pear and Candied Walnut Salad
This salad is incredibly flexible and can be customized to your taste:
- Switch Up the Cheese: If you don’t like gorgonzola much, use goat cheese, blue cheese, or feta; it will be less intense and more creamy.
- Add Dried Fruit: instead of the raisins, you dry cranberries or cherries because they make the salad even more tasteful and balance sweet pears.
- Vegan Version: You should replace honey with maple syrup for the dressing. While adding cheese, make sure to use vegan cheese; you will have made a vegan salad.
- Pecans Instead of Walnuts: Pecans are used effectively to replace walnuts and maybe caramelized in precisely the same manner for that desired crispness
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Health Benefits of Pear and Candied Walnut Salad
This Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients:
- Pears: A great source of dietary fiber, pears help digestion and are loaded with vitamins like C and K.
- Walnuts: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, walnuts are great for heart health and provide a satisfying crunch.
- Greens: Mixed greens like arugula and spinach offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, helping to support overall health.
Serving Suggestions and Storing Tips
This salad is best served fresh, but here are a few tips for serving and storing:
- Serve as a Side: This salad is best served with roasted chicken, pork, or grilled fish to make a complete meal.
- Make Ahead: It is suggested to prepare the dressing and candy the walnuts in advance, but any slicing of the pears and the salad tossing is preferably done just before serving to avoid it getting soggy.
- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Keep the dressing separate if possible to avoid the greens wilting.
Conclusion
And there you have it—my take on Salad with Pears and Candied Walnuts! The ingredients of this salad are sweet, salty, and crispy at the same time so that it can be served at any celebration. It is perfect for the holiday dinner or bringing something special to your dinner.
Please comment below and let me know how you build your salad. Remember to share those yummy recipes with me.
FAQs
Can I make this salad dairy-free?
Yes! Simply omit the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative to keep this salad dairy-free.
Can I make the candied walnuts ahead of time?
Absolutely! The candied walnuts can be prepared days before and kept in an airtight container at a cool, dry place.
What’s the best type of pear to use?
It’s best to use Bosc or Bartlett pears for this salad, as they remain firm and sweet; however, you can use any kind of pears.
