Winter Green Salad Pear (Print Version)

Fresh winter greens with pears, toasted walnuts, and a tangy dressing for a crisp, flavorful side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Greens

01 - 3.5 oz baby kale
02 - 3.5 oz arugula
03 - 1.75 oz radicchio, thinly sliced

→ Fruits & Nuts

04 - 2 ripe but firm pears, cored and thinly sliced
05 - 2 oz walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Cheese (optional)

06 - 1.5 oz crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese

→ Vinaigrette

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and golden. Let cool completely before using.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine the baby kale, arugula, and sliced radicchio, tossing gently to mix.
04 - Add the sliced pears and cooled toasted walnuts to the greens.
05 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Top with crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese if using. Serve immediately while greens remain crisp.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between crisp bitter greens and sweet juicy pears makes every bite exciting
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant menu
  • Perfect for those days when you want something fresh but substantial enough to feel satisfied
02 -
  • Don't dress this salad too far in advance or the greens will wilt and lose their satisfying crunch
  • Core and slice the pears at the last possible moment to prevent them from oxidizing and turning brown
  • The walnuts continue cooking after you remove them from the pan so transfer them immediately to a cool plate
03 -
  • If your greens seem slightly wilted, soak them in ice water for 15 minutes then spin thoroughly dry before tossing
  • Adjust the honey based on how sweet your pears are—less honey for very ripe fruit
  • A splash of walnut oil in the vinaigrette elevates the flavor even further

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