Description
This Pear & Brie Salad is a quick and elegant dish combining peppery arugula, sweet ripe pears, creamy brie cheese, and crunchy toasted nuts. With a simple honey-balsamic dressing and optional tart cranberries or pomegranate seeds, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or a sophisticated appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups arugula (or mixed greens)
- 2 ripe pears, cored and sliced thinly
- 4 oz brie cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds (optional)
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the salad greens: Rinse and dry 4 cups of arugula or mixed greens thoroughly. Place them in a large salad bowl as the base of your salad.
- Slice the pears: Core and thinly slice 2 ripe pears. Arrange them evenly over the salad greens for a sweet, fresh flavor contrast.
- Add the brie cheese: Thinly slice 4 ounces of brie cheese and distribute the slices evenly on top of the salad to add creamy richness.
- Toast the nuts: Toast 1/4 cup of walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to avoid burning. Allow to cool and sprinkle over the salad for crunch.
- Add cranberries or pomegranate seeds: If using, sprinkle 1/4 cup of dried cranberries or fresh pomegranate seeds over the salad for a pop of color and tartness.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey (optional), and salt and pepper to taste until well combined.
- Toss and serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients without bruising the delicate leaves. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm pears to prevent sogginess in the salad.
- For a nut-free version, omit nuts or substitute with toasted seeds.
- Use fresh pomegranate seeds for a juicy tartness or dried cranberries for sweetness.
- The honey in the dressing is optional depending on your sweetness preference.
- Brie can be replaced with goat cheese or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
- This salad is best eaten immediately to maintain freshness and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
