It is possible to whip up a salad in under 30 minutes and have it be both healthy and fun. Try this roasted pear, parmesan & spiced pecan salad.
Last month for the Secret Recipe Club, JJ (84th & 3rd) was assigned to my blog and she made her own version of my bagel for one recipe which looked even better than mine. Shortly afterwards I received the next month’s assignment and lo and behold I was assigned to JJ’s blog this month! After reading her “about” page more she sounds like someone I can relate to: thinks about lunch while eating breakfast, loves to travel, practices yoga, runs, and does both in order to eat cake. I’ve always said that I work out not because of what I eat, but for what I want to eat!
That being said, I do try to eat healthy outside of my dessert fetish and am always looking for fun recipes which are also healthy. Guess it was meant to be that I would be paired up with JJ this month because she really does know how to make even healthy food fun with things such as vegan salted caramel truffles, 5 minute chimichurri sauce, and ombre key lime popsicles. And this salad was anything but boring. A bed of baby spinach and arugula topped with sweet roasted pears, salty Parmesan cheese, and spiced pecans. The sticky spiced pecans are pure gold.
One year ago: Potato Nachos
Three years ago: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats
ROASTED PEAR, PARMESAN & SPICED PECAN SALAD
Serves 4
Ingredients:
SALAD
2 ripe but firm pears, cut into eighths and cored, unpeeled
Half a lemon
10 oz. baby arugula-spinach mix
Parmesan cheese shavings
DRESSING
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Pinch salt
Pinch Italian seasoning
Pinch sugar (optional)
STICKY SPICED PECANS
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 Tbsp honey
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch chili powder
Pinch sea salt
Directions:
- Preheat broiler to high. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place pears slices in a medium bowl and squeeze lemon juice over them, toss to coat. Place on one prepared baking sheet, skin side down, and roast under broiler for 5 – 7 mins. Check regularly until just soft and caramelized on the edges.
- Meanwhile make the pecans. In a small skillet over low heat, warm the honey. When it starts to bubble add pecans and stir to coat well. Sprinkle in seasonings and stir again. Spread into a single layer on the second prepared baking sheet. When pears are done roasting, turn off the broiler. Place pecans in the oven and allot to cook in the residual heat for 5 minutes or until crispy. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
- Pile green on a large plate, top with warm pears and pecans, and drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with Parmesan shavings and serve.
Source: Adapted slightly from 84th and 3rd.
17 comments
I love pears! We used to have a pear tree at our last house and it was so fun to pick pears. This salad looks wonderful.
What a WONDERFUL choice for SRC this month – looks like a fantastic summery salad!
Yummy! I love it when flavours and textures come together so well in a salad like this! Great SRC Pick!
This is a great looking salad. i love the combination of pear and parmesan together, especially if there happens to be bacon involved as well (just saying), but the addition of the those sticky, spiced pecans, takes this to a whole different level – can’t wait to try this. In fact I might be putting those nuts on everything!!
What a gorgeous salad! I love the spiced pecans in it…fairly certain those would be my favorite part!
I took a little break from salads but I am loving the sound of roasted pears. This one looks fabulous.
I made this one a few reveal days ago and just loved it. The roasted pears were amazing and the pecans are to die for!
My assigned blog this month had me last month, too! It’s really fun when that happens :) This salad looks so yummy– love the sweet and salty combo!
That salad has my name written all over it!
What a perfect salad! Great pick this month :)
What a great summer meal. Good choice this month.
Don’t you love her blog? I was assigned to it not too long ago and had a blast surfing her site….
great salad, perfect for a light lunch, which is more than welcome this time of the year!
Gosh this looks good! I just love all the flavors and textures going on in this salad!
Oh I’m so glad you like the salad – it’s the second time it’s been picked for SRC, I must have dome something right ;D Thanks for doing it justice and happy reveal day. (those pecans are addictive aren’t they!)
Definitely a great salad so no surprise that it was picked twice. The pecans really are addictive!
That looks so pretty and well put together.