Nut-Free Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad
Delight in the perfect harmony of flavors with this Nut-Free Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad, a clever twist on a classic recipe that's both allergy-friendly and irresistibly delicious. This vibrant salad combines crisp mixed greens, thinly sliced pears, and tart dried cranberries with the creamy tang of crumbled blue cheese. Roasted pumpkin seeds step in as a nut-free alternative to walnuts, offering a satisfying crunch and toasty depth. A homemade balsamic vinaigrette, subtly sweetened with honey and balanced with Dijon mustard, ties all the elements together in a medley of textures and tastes. Ready in just 15 minutes, this salad is perfect as a refreshing starter or a light, flavor-packed meal. With keywords like "nut-free salad," "blue cheese recipe," and "pear cranberry salad," it’s tailored for health-conscious foodies looking to indulge without compromise.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 4 ounces blue cheese
- 1 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 1 medium pear, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, roasted pumpkin seeds, sliced pear, and dried cranberries.
Crumble the blue cheese over the salad, ensuring even distribution.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients well.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Serve immediately as a refreshing starter or a light meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1768 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 126.6 g | 162% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.1 g | 181% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 85 mg | 28% | |
| Sodium | 2125 mg | 92% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.8 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.6 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 77.7 g | ||
| Protein | 55.5 g | 111% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 748 mg | 58% | |
| Iron | 11.9 mg | 66% | |
| Potassium | 1888 mg | 40% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
