Arugula Pear Salad
A refreshing salad that combines peppery arugula, sweet pears, crunchy walnuts, and creamy blue cheese, making it perfect for a healthy meal any time of the year.
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 4 cups arugula Washed and dried
- 2 pieces ripe pears Sliced into thin wedges
- 1/2 cup walnuts Toasted
- 1/4 cup red onion Thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup blue cheese Crumbled on top
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil Extra virgin recommended for richer flavor
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Adds tanginess
- to taste salt Essential for flavor
- to taste pepper Freshly cracked preferred
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash and dry 4 cups of arugula thoroughly.
- Slice 2 ripe pears into thin wedges.
- Toast 1/2 cup of walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion and set aside.
Assembly
- In a large bowl, combine the arugula, sliced pears, toasted walnuts, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar until emulsified.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top.
Serving
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls.
- Garnish with cracked black pepper and additional walnuts if desired.
- Serve immediately for optimal freshness.
- For enhanced flavors, chill for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For variations, consider using apples or dried cranberries instead of pears. Keep dressing separate until serving if meal prepping to maintain freshness.