Description
A crisp and refreshing Pear Salad featuring crunchy romaine lettuce, sweet honeycrisp apples, juicy green pears, shredded Swiss cheese, roasted cashews, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy homemade poppy seed dressing. This salad balances sweet and savory flavors with a delightful crunch, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Poppy Seed Dressing
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Salad
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews, coarsely chopped
- 1 green pear, cored and sliced
- 1 honeycrisp apple, cored and cubed small
- 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, half-and-half, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings if necessary to suit your preference.
- Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, roasted cashews, sliced green pear, cubed honeycrisp apple, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Add the dressing and serve: Just before serving, pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the dressing. Divide the salad onto individual plates or bowls, ensuring each serving contains a balanced mix of all the components, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For extra freshness, add the dressing right before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
- Roasted cashews add great texture, but you can substitute with pecans or walnuts if preferred.
- To make it vegetarian-friendly, ensure the mayonnaise is egg-free or substitute with a vegan mayo.
- Use fresh ripe pears and apples for the best flavor and texture contrast.
- Leftover dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
