Description
Crisp winter “balsamic pear and cranberry salad” brings Mediterranean elegance to your table with tangy cranberries and sweet roasted pears. Elegant ingredients dance together, creating a sophisticated symphony of flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) mixed greens
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- ½ cup (75 grams) dried cranberries
- ½ cup (60 grams) crumbled goat cheese
- ½ cup (60 grams) candied pecans
Vegetable Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (40 grams) red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking balsamic vinegar with olive oil, blending honey and Dijon mustard to create a smooth, tangy emulsion. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring the dressing achieves a perfect balance of flavors.
- Prepare a lush bed of mixed greens in a spacious serving bowl, creating a verdant foundation for the salad.
- Carefully layer thinly sliced pears across the greens, allowing their delicate curves to cascade naturally over the leafy base.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries throughout the salad, introducing bursts of deep crimson and subtle tartness.
- Thinly slice red onion into translucent rings, dispersing them gently to provide a sharp, aromatic undertone.
- Crumble creamy goat cheese over the salad, creating delightful white pockets that contrast with the vibrant ingredients.
- Scatter candied pecans across the surface, adding a crunchy, caramelized dimension to the composition.
- Moments before serving, drizzle the prepared balsamic vinaigrette across the salad, ensuring each ingredient receives a light, glossy coating.
- Gently toss the elements together, allowing the dressing to marry the flavors and create a harmonious, elegant dish.
Notes
- Slice pears just before serving to prevent browning and maintain their fresh, crisp texture.
- Toasting pecans enhances their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Use fresh, seasonal pears for the best taste and optimal sweetness in your dish.
- Swap goat cheese with feta or blue cheese for a different flavor profile if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg