Arugula and Pear Bowl (Printable)

Peppery arugula meets sweet pears, creamy cheese, and crunchy walnuts in this refreshing 15-minute bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Greens

01 - 4 cups fresh arugula

→ Fruit

02 - 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced

→ Cheese

03 - 2 oz crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese

→ Nuts

04 - ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
02 - Place fresh arugula in a large salad bowl, then add sliced pears, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts.
03 - Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad immediately before serving, then gently toss to combine all ingredients.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes flat, which means you can go from nothing on the counter to something genuinely elegant without the stress.
  • The contrast of textures—crispy nuts, tender greens, silky pear—feels indulgent but is actually just honest ingredients doing what they do best.
  • It's the kind of salad that works as a starter, a light lunch, or even a side to something heartier, so you'll find yourself making it again and again.
02 -
  • Never dress a salad too far in advance unless you enjoy the texture of soggy, collapsed greens—peppery arugula especially wilts fast, so treat that dressing like the final touch it actually is.
  • If your pears are slightly firm, slice them right before assembly and maybe toss them with a tiny squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning and to brighten their flavor even more.
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead for a picnic or packed lunch, keep all the components separate and assemble just before eating—dressing the greens even 30 minutes early will leave you with disappointment.
  • The secret to a dressing that tastes balanced is tasting it directly from the spoon before it touches the salad, so you know exactly what you're working with and can adjust boldness or sweetness to your preference.
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