Herbed Pear Greens Salad (Printable)

A bright blend of pear, mixed greens, and herbs dressed in a zesty vinaigrette.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Greens

01 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, or mesclun)

→ Fruit

02 - 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced

→ Herbs

03 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely sliced

→ Nuts

06 - ⅓ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

→ Cheese

07 - ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta

→ Vinaigrette

08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine mixed greens, sliced pears, mint, parsley, and chives in a large salad bowl.
02 - Scatter toasted nuts and crumbled cheese over the greens if using.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified.
04 - Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately with additional herb garnish if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between crisp greens, juicy pears, and bright herbs creates layers of flavor in every bite
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant
  • The vinaigrette strikes that perfect balance between tangy and slightly sweet
02 -
  • The vinaigrette can be made up to three days ahead and stored in the refrigerator but bring it to room temperature before using
  • Wait until the last minute to dress the salad or the greens will wilt and lose their satisfying crunch
  • Slicing the pears thinly rather than into chunks makes them easier to eat and helps the vinaigrette coat them more evenly
03 -
  • Dry your greens thoroughly after washing or the vinaigrette will slide right off instead of coating them
  • Toasting the nuts in a dry pan for just a few minutes brings out their natural oils and deepens their flavor significantly

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