Brighten up your table with this refreshing Spinach Salad with Pear Dressing, a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors. Tender baby spinach leaves are the base for this vibrant dish, topped with crunchy toasted pecans, creamy crumbled goat cheese, and tart dried cranberries for a balanced medley of textures. The star of the recipe, however, is the luscious homemade pear dressingβa delightful combination of ripe pear, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard blended to silky perfection. This 15-minute no-cook salad is ideal for weeknight dinners or festive occasions, offering a gourmet twist while being surprisingly simple to prepare. Serve as an elegant starter or pair with grilled proteins for a light yet satisfying meal.
Wash and dry the baby spinach leaves. Place them in a large salad bowl.
Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
Sprinkle the toasted pecans, crumbled goat cheese, and dried cranberries over the spinach leaves.
Peel and core the ripe pear. Cut it into chunks and place it in a blender or food processor.
Add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and ground black pepper to the blender with the pear.
Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Drizzle the pear dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine.
Calories |
1499 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 119.3 g | 153% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.9 g | 144% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 68 mg | 23% | |
| Sodium | 1375 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.1 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.2 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 60.3 g | ||
| Protein | 30.3 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 351 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 6.3 mg | 35% | |
| Potassium | 1167 mg | 25% | |
*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.