Ingredients
– ยฝ cup raw pecans (halves or pieces)
– 5 ounces baby arugula
– 2 ounces (about ยฝ cup) goat cheese or feta, crumbled
– 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced
– 1 apple, thinly sliced
– Arils from 1 pomegranate
– ยผ cup extra-virgin olive oil
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, to taste
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
– 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
– ยผ teaspoon fine sea salt
– About 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
1- Creating this Pear Pomegranate Salad is straightforward and fun, taking just about 30 minutes from start to finish. Begin by toasting the pecans in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often until they’re fragrant and golden, which takes around 4 to 5 minutes; then roughly chop them if needed. This step adds a wonderful nutty flavor that elevates the whole dish.
2- Next, arrange the 5 ounces of baby arugula on a large serving platter as your base. Sprinkle the chopped pecans and 2 ounces of crumbled goat cheese or feta over the greens for a tasty contrast. Fan out the slices of 1 large ripe pear and 1 apple across the salad, then add the arils from 1 pomegranate for a burst of color and tartness.
3- For the ginger dressing, whisk together ยผ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger, ยผ teaspoon fine sea salt, and about 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper in a separate bowl. Adjust the vinegar if you want more tang, and keep the dressing aside until serving to avoid wilting the greens. To adapt for gluten-free or low-calorie preferences, ensure the dressing fits your needs and consider reducing oil.
Notes
๐ Slice pears and apples thinly for a beautiful presentation and fan the slices when arranging.
๐ฟ Toast pecans yourself to enhance flavor and freshness rather than using pre-toasted nuts.
๐ฅ Dress the salad just before serving or serve dressing on the side to keep greens crisp.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook, Toasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 side salad
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
