Description
A crisp and refreshing Pear Salad featuring chopped romaine lettuce, juicy green pear, sweet honey crisp apple, Swiss cheese, roasted cashews, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy homemade poppy seed dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a light lunch or a delicious side dish.
Ingredients
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 honey crisp apple, cored and cubed small
- 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, half-and-half, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, and salt until fully combined and smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed 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 honey crisp apple, and dried cranberries. Gently toss them together to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Add the dressing and serve: Just before serving, pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Divide the salad onto individual plates or bowls, making sure each serving contains a mix of all components, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh pears and apples for the best flavor and texture in the salad.
- If you prefer a lighter dressing, reduce the amount of mayonnaise or substitute with Greek yogurt.
- For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise with a plant-based alternative and omit the Swiss cheese or use vegan cheese.
- To prevent fruit slices from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice before adding to the salad.
- The salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and fruit.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
