Here we are, raving about a salad with pear and walnuts… Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Salad? Exciting? Tell me another one!” But stick with me here.
Imagine this: crunchy walnuts, juicy slices of pear, and a hint of cheese that just brings everything together in harmony even your pickiest eater (looking at you, toddler of mine) can’t deny it. This isn’t just a dish; it’s a peace treaty in the endless war of feeding greens to your little ones. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get some nutrients into your system, because let’s face it, some days our diet consists of finishing off the kids’ leftovers and calling it a meal.
There’s something about the blend of textures and flavors that feels like a pat on the back, saying, “You’ve got this parenting thing down.” And the best part? It’s embarrassingly easy to whip up. So, whether you’re looking to impress at the next family gathering or just trying to survive a Tuesday night without resorting to frozen pizza (again), this pear and walnut salad has got your back. Let’s dive in and give our salads a chance to be the unsung heroes at dinner time, shall we?
Salad with Pear and Walnuts
Over the bank holiday weekend, we had a street party as we sometimes do on our jolly little cul de sac. I’ve been pretty conscious lately about the amount of bread we eat (seriously it’s like 6 slices a day min) so wanted to steer clear of the bread-based foods. I could have gone for the whole veggie kebabs thing but it’s a little tired if truth be told.
So we headed to our local supermarket to pick up some bits and bobs for exciting party food and salad bits, £89 pounds later I had enough ingredients to make all..three meals. Not quite sure how that happened (although maybe I do as a bottle of rum snuck in there too) and OMG have you seen how expensive walnuts are??
Anyway, it was delicious and I’m sure I could have found some of the ingredients a little cheaper if I shopped around properly and not just grabbed the first bits I saw (and paid twice as much for pears that were ripe right now).
Salad with Pear and Walnuts and blue cheese (serves four)
You will need:
100g walnuts,
honey
100g blue cheese
two small chicory heads
handful of spinach
two ripe pears
vinegar
extra virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
mustard
pomegranate seeds
one lemon
40g water cress
To make the caramelised walnuts simple scatter 100g of walnuts in a baking tray, add two tbsp of honey and roast for ten minutes
Slice two ripe pears into slices and sprinkle with lemon juice
Add salad leaves (I used chicory leaves,a few spinach leaves, and a scattering of watercress also) scatter walnuts, blue cheese, and pomegranate seeds
The dressing is made with a teaspoon of red wine vinegar, a teaspoon of mustard, a teaspoon of honey, and two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste
Simple!
recipe adapted from the Yeo Valley farmhouse cookbook
If you liked this post you may also like:
Vegan Chocolate Recipe
The Great British Farmhouse
Easy Carrot Cake Recipe