Arugula Salad with Caramelized Pears & Walnuts
A perfect salad for winter combining peppery arugula, the sweetness of pears, the crunch of walnuts and the creaminess of your choice of cheese. A crowd pleaser!
Servings: 6 people
Equipment
- non-stick skillet
Ingredients
- 4 cups arugula rinsed well
- 1 tbs butter
- 2 Asian pears peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbs sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
- gorgonzola, goat or shaved parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Saute pears and walnuts in butter for 3 minutes.
- Add sugar and water and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and caramelized.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar and close lid tightly. Shake vigorously to blend. (Can store in fridge)
- Toss arugula in dressing and place in a large bowl.
- Top with pears and walnuts (and cheese if you are adding it) and a few turns of fresh cracked black pepper.