Arugula and Pear Bowl (Print Version)

Peppery arugula meets sweet pears with creamy cheese and toasted nuts in a balsamic honey dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Greens

01 - 4 cups fresh arugula

→ Fruit

02 - 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced

→ Cheese

03 - 2 oz crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese

→ Nuts

04 - ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Recipe Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified
02 - Place arugula in a large salad bowl and add sliced pears, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and gently toss to combine, then serve immediately

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent an hour on presentation.
  • The balance of peppery, sweet, creamy, and crunchy hits every craving at once.
  • You can swap nearly any ingredient based on what's in your fridge and it still works beautifully.
02 -
  • Dressing the salad too early will turn the arugula soggy and sad, so wait until the very last moment before tossing.
  • If your pears aren't quite ripe, a quick toss with a tiny bit of honey in a separate bowl can help coax out some sweetness.
03 -
  • Always dress your salad in a bowl much larger than you think you need, it makes tossing easier and prevents ingredients from flying everywhere.
  • If you're making this ahead for a gathering, keep all components separate and assemble just before serving so everything stays crisp and vibrant.
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