Arugula and Pear Bowl (Printable)

Peppery arugula meets sweet pears, creamy cheese, and toasted nuts in this refreshing 15-minute bowl.

# Components:

→ 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 - ½ 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 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

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 and add sliced pears, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts.
03 - Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving, gently toss to combine, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes fancy but takes less time than ordering takeout, and you probably have most of it already.
  • The textures keep every bite interesting: creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, crisp greens, and soft fruit all playing together.
  • You can dress it up for guests or eat it straight from the bowl on a weeknight without judgment.
  • It works as a side, a starter, or a full light meal depending on your mood and hunger level.
02 -
  • Never dress the salad ahead of time; arugula wilts fast and turns from vibrant to sad in under ten minutes once dressed.
  • Toast your nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking often; they go from perfect to burnt in seconds, so stay close and trust your nose.
  • Slice the pears just before assembling or toss them with a tiny squeeze of lemon juice to keep them from browning.
03 -
  • Make extra dressing and keep it in a jar; it lasts a week in the fridge and works on almost any salad or roasted vegetables.
  • If you don't have balsamic vinegar, try white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar with a pinch of brown sugar.
  • Use a mix of arugula and baby spinach if you want a milder green base that's still interesting.
  • For a vegan version, skip the cheese and add avocado or nutritional yeast for creaminess and umami.
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