This winter pear salad is incredible and so refreshing! Ideal during the holiday season, the spiced orange dressing is warm and delicious. The salad is crisp and crunchy, making it the perfect side dish for a holiday meal.
A salad on a Friday that is anything but boring!
This winter pear salad is crunchy, refreshing and perfect for the season. Topped with an orange dressing, it’s delicious and light and makes a lovely little side dish for just about anything you serve.
It goes great with your christmas chicken and scalloped hasselback potatoes (cute!!) for a nice holiday dinner. Whether it’s for yourself or a crowd, it’s always a hit. Crunchy, crisp, tangy, cheesy and fabulous.
Everything you want in a salad.
I love making a big greens salad to take to a holiday gathering because often, it’s what I’m craving. I find that it’s also very appreciated during the season with all of the decadent holiday food and it pairs so nicely on a plate! Cozy comfort food, plus a refreshing bit of salad. It’s exactly what I want my plate to look like.
And taste like.
All the cozy and crunchy vibes together, creating the perfect meal.
And there then is the dressing!
This dressing just TASTES like the holiday season. Spiced citrus vinaigrette is ideal on all salads in December. It makes everything taste cozy and warm, even if you’re enjoying a crisp, refreshing salad.
I love to use arugula in this salad simply because it’s my favorite green. It’s peppery with a great bite. But feel free to use any green that you enjoy for salad too. And be sure to season it! A nice little sprinkle of salt and pepper makes it taste wonderful.
Then, all the toppings!
Thinly sliced pear, which will be juicy, tart, sweet and crisp.
Candied walnuts, which you can either make (easy!) or buy (easier!). These add extra crunch, of course.
Shaved asiago cheese, which is a standout in my shaved asiago house salad in Easy Everyday. The best salad EVER. It’s such a great classic, signature salad and I make it weekly – sometimes multiple times a week.
Drizzle with the dressing and boom!
And excellent wintery salad with texture that we all love. The best!
Winter Pear Salad with Spiced Orange Vinaigrette
Shaved Asiago Winter Pear Salad
This winter pear salad is incredible and so refreshing! Ideal during the holiday season, the spiced orange dressing is warm and delicious. The salad is crisp and crunchy, making it the perfect side dish for a holiday meal.
salad
6 to 8 cups baby arugula greenskosher salt and pepper2 ripe pears, very thinly sliced½ cup candied walnuts, chopped½ cup shaved asiago cheese
spiced orange vinaigrette
quick candied walnuts
Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the walnuts and sugar. Stir until everything is coated and the sugar begins to melt. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, tossing, until everything is coated and looks lightly toasted.
Transfer the nuts to parchment paper. Let cool completely, then chop.
Place the arugula in a large bowl and season with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Add on the pears, shaved asiago and chopped walnuts. Drizzle with the orange dressing and serve.
spiced orange vinaigrette
Whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, honey, mustard, orange zest, shallot, garlic, allspice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. This keeps great in the fridge for a few days!
Simple, classic, yes.
