This vibrant salad combines peppery arugula, sweet ripe pears, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a tangy lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. It's a perfect starter or light lunch.
15 min prep
4 servings
280 kcal/serving
Ingredients
5 oz (about 5 cups) baby arugula
2 ripe but firm pears (such as Bartlett or Bosc), cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp honey or maple syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
Place arugula in a large salad bowl. Add sliced pears, toasted walnuts, and shaved Parmesan (if using).
Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
Tips
Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice pears thinly for even distribution.
Add the vinaigrette just before serving to prevent the arugula from wilting.
For a vegan version, omit Parmesan and use maple syrup instead of honey.