Roasted Pear, Parmesan & Spiced Pecan Salad

by Erin

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.

Roasted Pear, Parmesan & Spiced Pecan Salad 1

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.

Roasted Pear, Parmesan & Spiced Pecan Salad 2

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:

  1. Preheat broiler to high. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
  5. 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.


Signature

You may also like

17 comments

susan @ the wimpy vegetarian August 2, 2014 - 3:06 pm

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.

Reply
Rebekah @ Making Miracles August 2, 2014 - 12:28 pm

What a WONDERFUL choice for SRC this month – looks like a fantastic summery salad!

Reply
Christine July 30, 2014 - 10:20 pm

Yummy! I love it when flavours and textures come together so well in a salad like this! Great SRC Pick!

Reply
Couscous & Consciousness July 29, 2014 - 10:13 pm

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!!

Reply
Joanne July 29, 2014 - 7:17 am

What a gorgeous salad! I love the spiced pecans in it…fairly certain those would be my favorite part!

Reply
Emily @ Life on Food July 28, 2014 - 7:02 pm

I took a little break from salads but I am loving the sound of roasted pears. This one looks fabulous.

Reply
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories July 28, 2014 - 3:54 pm

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!

Reply
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel July 28, 2014 - 1:47 pm

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!

Reply
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious July 28, 2014 - 1:22 pm

That salad has my name written all over it!

Reply
Melissa July 28, 2014 - 11:50 am

What a perfect salad! Great pick this month :)

Reply
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm July 28, 2014 - 11:03 am

What a great summer meal. Good choice this month.

Reply
SallyBR July 28, 2014 - 9:32 am

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!

Reply
Renee - Kudos Kitchen July 28, 2014 - 8:51 am

Gosh this looks good! I just love all the flavors and textures going on in this salad!

Reply
JJ - 84thand3rd July 28, 2014 - 2:48 am

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!)

Reply
spiffycookie July 28, 2014 - 7:25 am

Definitely a great salad so no surprise that it was picked twice. The pecans really are addictive!

Reply
Sweet as Sugar Cookies July 28, 2014 - 12:56 am

That looks so pretty and well put together.

Reply

Leave a Comment

* By using this form you consent to the storing of your message attached to the e-mail address you've used. (Data will not be shared with any 3rd-parties)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept Read More