Pear and Toasted Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

This salad recipe has flavors that speak eloquently of autumn—pears, walnuts, bitter greens, and cranberries. You can substitute other dried fruit if you like. It’s a simple enough salad to serve for every day, yet dressed up enough to serve as a first course for company meals. It’s a welcome addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas menus, as well. Double the recipe for a larger crowd. Contributed by Jill Nussinow, MS, RD, adapted from The Veggie Queen™: Vegetables Get the Royal Treatment.*

Pear and Toasted Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

This salad has flavors that speak eloquently of autumn —pears, walnuts, bitter greens and cranberries. You can substitute other dried fruit if you like.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Autumn salad

Cuisine: Healthy

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

Author: Veg Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp walnut halves or pieces toasted
• 2 large ripe pears each cut into 8 to 12 slices
• 4 to 6 cups mixed baby greens preferably including radicchio, arugula, and/or cress, rinsed and dried
• freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine the water, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, mustard, half the cranberries, and the olive oil in a food processor. Process until smooth.
• Place the greens in a mixing bowl. Pour half the dressing over the greens and toss. Arrange pears over greens and sprinkle walnuts and cranberries over pears.
• Top with freshly ground pepper. Add remaining dressing if you like, or pass it around. Serve right away.

• Here are more recipes for fruity compositions.
• Here are more recipes and menu ideas for a Vegetarian and Vegan-Friendly Thanksgiving.

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