Arugula and Pear Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Peppery arugula meets sweet pears, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts in a tangy balsamic dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 - 0.5 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 - 0.5 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-To 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, then add sliced pears, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts.
03 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad immediately before serving, gently toss to combine, and serve at once.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The peppery bite of arugula crashes into sweet pear in a way that somehow feels like both comfort and sophistication on the same plate.
  • You can literally throw this together in the time it takes water to boil for pasta, but it looks like you actually tried.
  • That creamy cheese melts slightly into the warm leaves while the nuts stay perfectly crunchy, creating layers of texture that keep you interested through every bite.
02 -
  • Slice your pears at the very last moment possible, because they oxidize and brown quickly; if you're making this ahead, toss the sliced pears with a squeeze of lemon juice to buy yourself time.
  • Don't dress the entire salad and then let it sit, because the arugula will wilt and the pears will release water—assemble, dress, and eat within minutes.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts if you have time, because homemade tastes noticeably better than store-bought, and a dry skillet on medium heat for about five minutes while you stir constantly is all it takes.
  • Use your hands to toss this salad instead of utensils because fork tines bruise the arugula leaves and mash the pear; your hands are gentler and you'll have better control over how thoroughly everything mixes.
Go back