Arugula and Pear Bowl (Printable)

Peppery arugula meets sweet pears, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts in a refreshing bowl.

# 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 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# 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. Add sliced pears, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Gently toss to combine and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like something from a restaurant menu but comes together in the time it takes to set the table.
  • The textures keep every bite interesting, from creamy cheese to crunchy nuts to crisp greens.
  • You can tweak it based on what you have and it still tastes incredible.
  • No cooking means no mess and no waiting around.
02 -
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the arugula will wilt and lose its peppery snap.
  • If your pears are underripe, let them sit on the counter for a day or two, they need to be sweet to balance the greens.
  • Toast the nuts until they smell fragrant, but watch them closely because they go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of dressing and keep it in a jar in the fridge, it lasts for a week and works on any green salad.
  • If you are bringing this to a gathering, pack the dressing separately and toss everything together right before serving so nothing gets soggy.
  • Use a mix of walnuts and pecans if you cannot decide, the combination adds even more depth and texture.
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