Arugula, Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
In short: Peppery arugula, sliced pears, toasted walnuts and shaved Parmesan in a honey mustard dressing. Ready in 15 minutes with no cooking. It takes about 19 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 4 min
- Total
- 19 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Peppery arugula and sweet pears are a classic pairing in autumn and winter, when pears are at their best. Toasted walnuts add crunch, and shaved Parmesan brings a salty, savory edge. The dressing is a quick whisk of olive oil, lemon, honey and mustard, just enough to coat the leaves without drowning them. Serve it as a light starter or alongside roast chicken or pork.
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the pan often, until fragrant. Tip them onto a plate to cool so they stay crisp.
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl until the dressing looks thick and glossy.
- Core the pears and slice them about 3 mm (1/8 inch) thick. Toss the slices with a teaspoon of the dressing straight away so they do not brown.
- Put the arugula in a wide bowl and toss it with most of the remaining dressing, using your hands for a light touch.
- Add the pears and walnuts, scatter the Parmesan shavings over the top and drizzle with the last of the dressing. Serve at once while the leaves are still crisp.
Tips
- Choose pears that are ripe but still firm, such as Bosc or Conference. Very soft pears turn watery and bruise when tossed.
- No Parmesan? Use crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese. For a vegan version, leave out the cheese, add dried cranberries and swap the honey for maple syrup.
Questions and answers
Can I make arugula pear salad ahead of time?
Make the dressing, toast the walnuts and wash the arugula up to a day ahead and store them separately. Slice the pears and toss everything together just before serving.
What can I use instead of arugula?
Baby spinach, watercress or soft lettuce all work. Arugula adds a peppery edge that balances the sweet pears, so add a little extra mustard if you switch to milder leaves.
What do you serve with this salad?
It goes well with roast chicken, pork chops, baked salmon or a simple pasta. It also makes a light lunch with a slice of crusty bread.
How long does it take to make Arugula, Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing?
About 19 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 4 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Arugula, Pear and Walnut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
