Walnut Pear Salad–Our Thanksgiving Tradition

American, Recipes, Salad
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This has been our Thanksgiving Salad for many, many years. It was shared with us by a dear friend who is a master chef. Because it is a little more complex, we have featured it at more special occasions–where it has made a lasting impression on many dear friends and dinner guests.

Walnut Pear Salad

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bleu cheese, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, mesculin greens, pears
Servings: 15 people
Calories: 436kcal
Author: Sage and Plow Favorites
We love the candied walnuts and bleu cheese in this recipe!
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Ingredients

Salad

  • 2 heads romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 box spinach
  • 1/2 box mesculin greens
  • 1/2 red onion quartered and thinly sliced
  • 2 pears thinly sliced (hold in lemon water)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 1/2 cups candied walnuts (see recipe below)
  • crumbled bleu cheese

Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • 1 1/2 cup olive oil infuse with garlic
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (can also use red wine vinegar)
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1/5 Tbsp pepper

Spiced Candied Walnuts/Pecans

  • 2 cups walnuts
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (we've also used honey)
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar (we've also used coconut sugar)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • pinch of salt
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 1/2 tsp orange extract

Instructions

For Candied Walnuts/Pecans

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • In a bowl mix together the sugar, spices, and zest.
  • Bring a saucepan of water to boil and add orange extract and nuts.
  • Blanch for 3 minutes, then drain well and immediately roll the nuts in the sugar mixture until thoroughly coated. The sugar will melt slightly. If you used honey, it will look different.
  • Transfer nuts to a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 8-10 mins. Watch carefully–sugar can burn easily.
  • Let cool completely before serving.

For Salad

  • Toss salad ingredients together, except for pears.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients together.
  • Just before serving, add pears and toss with dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 7298IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg

From our Sage and Plow family to yours.

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