Arugula and Pear Bowl (Printable)

Peppery arugula meets sweet pears, creamy cheese, and crunchy walnuts in this vibrant 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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you can set a table, which means no stress when unexpected guests arrive.
  • The contrast between peppery greens and sweet fruit somehow feels fancy without any fussing.
02 -
  • Timing is everything—dress the salad no more than a minute or two before eating, or the arugula will start to wilt and lose its crisp snap.
  • If your pears feel hard, they won't be sweet enough; give them a day or two at room temperature, and they'll transform completely.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts in a dry skillet for three minutes if you have the time—store-bought toasted ones often taste stale compared to doing it fresh.
  • Make your dressing in a jar with a tight lid, then shake it vigorously just before using; the emulsion stays together better and tastes more cohesive.
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