Description
This Arugula Pear Salad is a game-changer for quick lunches, elegant dinners, and holiday feasts. The combination of peppery arugula, juicy, sweet pears, smoky shaved Gouda, and 5-minute homemade candied pecans is absolutely addictive. It’s all brought together with a bright, tangy honey-lemon vinaigrette for a restaurant-quality salad you can easily make at home in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the 5-Minute Candied Pecans:
- 1 cup Whole pecans
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Water
- Pinch of salt
For the Honey Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons White wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder (or 2 minced garlic cloves)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
For the Salad:
- 10 ounces (about 10 cups) Fresh baby arugula
- 2 Ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup Smoked Gouda cheese, shaved
Instructions
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Make the Candied Pecans: Place a skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar, water, and salt. Stir until the sugar begins to melt and bubble. Add the pecans and stir almost constantly for 3-5 minutes. The sugar mixture will thicken and coat the nuts, looking glossy.
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Immediately pour the nuts onto a parchment or wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Spread them into a single layer and let them cool completely. Once cooled, you can chop them or leave them whole.
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Whisk the Honey Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or a glass jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and honey. Whisk (or shake) vigorously until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and fully emulsified.
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Assemble the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, add your fresh arugula. Top the greens with the thinly sliced pears and the shaved Gouda cheese.
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Toss and Serve Immediately: Add the completely cooled candied pecans to the salad bowl. When you are ready to serve, drizzle the salad with the honey lemon vinaigrette and toss gently to coat everything. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pecan Tip: Do not walk away from the pecans while candying! The sugar can go from caramelized to burnt in seconds.
- Dressing Tip: The Dijon mustard acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar stay together.
- Pear Tip: A firm-ripe pear like Bosc or Anjou is perfect. You want it to be sweet but still firm enough to hold its shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Mixing, Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 31 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
