Pearly Greens Salad with Craisin Almond Crunch
Elevate your salad experience with this vibrant Pearly Greens Salad, featuring a delightful medley of fresh produce, creamy feta, and a touch of sweetness from dried cranberries. Perfectly paired with the flavors of crisp bosc pears and crunchy honey-roasted almonds, this salad is designed to complement your favorite main dishes or can stand alone as a refreshing lunch option. The dressing, made with infused red wine vinegar and a hint of honey, brings everything together, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavor. The addition of radicchio provides an exquisite hint of color and flavor balance, while the optional red onion adds a zesty kick that you can adjust to suit your taste. Allowing the salad to rest in the refrigerator lets the flavors meld beautifully, creating a dish that’s both elegant and wholesome.
N/A
Servings
381
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
blueberry pomegranate infused red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (none)
honey
1 tablespoon (none)
Dijon mustard
1 1/4 teaspoons (none)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/8 teaspoon (none)
lettuce
1 head (torn into bite-size pieces)
radicchio
a few leaves (thinly sliced (for color))
bosc pears
3 (peeled, cored and chopped)
red grapes
12 (halved)
feta cheese
4 ounces (crumbled)
avocado
1 (peeled, pitted, and diced)
red onion
1 tablespoon (chopped (optional))
sliced honey roasted almonds
1/4 cup (none)
dried cranberries
1/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, blueberry pomegranate infused red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
2
In a large serving bowl, start with a layer of torn lettuce. Next, add the chopped pears, followed by the crumbled feta cheese, diced avocado, and optional chopped red onion.
3
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, ensuring even distribution. Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients without bruising the delicate fruits.
4
Sprinkle the sliced honey-roasted almonds and dried cranberries on top for an extra crunch and sweetness.
5
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and place it in the refrigerator to rest for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill, enhancing its overall taste.
6
Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss one last time to redistribute the dressing and toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
24.5g
Fat
33.4g
Carbs
5.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pearly Greens Salad with Craisin Almond Crunch?
It is a vibrant salad featuring a medley of fresh produce, creamy feta, and a touch of sweetness from dried cranberries and honey-roasted almonds.
Which type of pears are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for three bosc pears, which should be peeled, cored, and chopped.
How do I make the salad dressing?
Whisk together olive oil, blueberry pomegranate infused red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
What type of vinegar is recommended for the dressing?
The recipe uses blueberry pomegranate infused red wine vinegar.
How long should the salad rest before serving?
It should rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Is this salad recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this salad is tagged as vegetarian.
Is the red onion mandatory?
No, the chopped red onion is optional and can be adjusted to suit your taste.
What ingredients provide the crunch in this salad?
The crunch comes from sliced honey-roasted almonds and dried cranberries.
What kind of cheese is included?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese.
How many calories are in a serving of this salad?
Each serving contains 381 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 24.5g.
How much protein does this salad provide?
It provides 5.4g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in the salad?
There are 33.4g of carbohydrates.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients in total.
Why is radicchio added to the salad?
Radicchio is added for an exquisite hint of color and to balance the flavor.
What kind of almonds should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of sliced honey-roasted almonds.
How should the lettuce be prepared?
One head of lettuce should be torn into bite-size pieces.
Are there any grapes in this salad?
Yes, the recipe includes 12 red grapes, halved.
How is the avocado prepared?
One avocado should be peeled, pitted, and diced.
Can this salad be served for lunch?
Yes, it is described as a refreshing lunch option or a complement to a main dish.
What is the purpose of the resting period?
Resting the salad in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill, enhancing the overall taste.
How do I avoid bruising the delicate fruits?
Gently toss the salad to combine the ingredients rather than mixing vigorously.
Is there mustard in the dressing recipe?
Yes, the dressing includes 1 1/4 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include healthy, light, vegetarian, summer, fresh, and nutrient-rich.
How do I layer the salad in the bowl?
Start with a layer of torn lettuce, then add chopped pears, crumbled feta, diced avocado, and optional red onion.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe.
What should I do before serving the salad after it has rested?
Give the salad a gentle toss one last time to redistribute the dressing and toppings.
What type of pears are specified?
Bosc pears are specified for this recipe.
Does this salad contain honey?
Yes, the dressing uses 1 tablespoon of honey.
How much salt and pepper is needed?
The recipe requires 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.