Arugula Salad with Pear and Blue Cheese
This arugula salad with pear and blue cheese is quick, easy, and healthy. Not only that, it tastes spectacular thanks to a subtly sweet honey vinaigrette with walnuts. Tasting is understanding.
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup walnut pieces
- 1 tablespoon minced shallots
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Sea salt to taste
For the salad
- 2 cups baby arugula (or watercress or spinach)
- 1/2 cup blue cheese (any variety), crumbled or thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup pears, any variety (1 to 2 pears), unpeeled, and thinly sliced or cut into a 1/2-inch dice
- 1/4 cup chopped dates (optional)
- Handful walnut halves or pieces (optional)
Instructions
Make the vinaigrette
- Toss the walnuts, shallots, vinegar, honey, and thyme, if using, in a blender and process until thoroughly combined. While the blender is still running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. When the oil has been incorporated, slowly add enough water to achieve the desired consistency. (You may not need to add all the water.) Taste and season with salt to taste.
Assemble the salad
- In a large bowl, toss the arugula, blue cheese (if using crumbles), pear, dates, and walnuts, if using, with 1/4 cup vinaigrette. Toss to coat and, if needed, add more vinaigrette until the salad is adequately dressed. Top with the blue cheese (if using slices). Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 807kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 74g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 43g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 399mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 23g