Easy, Stunning Pear and Pomegranate Salad
This stunning pear and pomegranate salad is as delicious as it is pretty. It features two of my favourite winter fruits (pears and pomegranates) with a mix of greens, sweet apricots, salty feta and crunchy walnuts.
Also Read: Seven Creamy Salad Dressings You’ll Love, Five Sources of Plant Based Protein, More Whole Grain Salads
What Makes a Great Salad?
A great salad has a mix of colour, texture and flavour. It is a feast for your senses, starting with what you see and ending with what you taste. And what you taste should be a balance of sweet and salty, bitter and tangy. The mouth feel or texture should also be balanced with ingredients that are smooth, crunchy, creamy, and crisp.
Have another look at this pear and pomegranate salad. The ingredients work together beautifully to give us the variety of flavour, texture and colour that we’re looking for in a great salad.
Salad on a Platter
Have you noticed that I like preparing salads in shallow bowls or platters? I think it’s such a shame when all the pretty garnishes get lost at the bottom of a deep salad bowl. Those bright colours and interesting textures need to be seen!
So rather than tossing your salads in a bowl, lay them out on a platter and make those ingredients shine.
Variations and Substitutions
It is rare that I make the same salad twice. I may have the same concept in mind – like pears and pomegranates, but the exact combination of ingredients varies with what’s in the fridge.
- use spinach, romaine, leaf lettuce, kale, arugula, mesclun mix or your favourite mixed greens
- use apples or crispy apple pears instead of or in addition to pears
- use pecans, candied pecans, croutons or roasted chickpeas
- use goat cheese, blue cheese or fresh shaved Parmesan instead of feta
- use dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries or cranberries instead of apricots
- use a different dressing, check out one of these 7 Creamy Salad Dressings
- use pepitas or sunflower seeds instead of nuts
- add whole grains like quinoa, wheat, barley or buckwheat for a full meal salad
- add fresh herbs like green onions, parsley or dill
Recipe for Pear and Pomegranate Salad
Pear and Pomegranate Salad
Ingredients
Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
Salad
- 6-8 cups dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, romaine, arugula, etc.)
- 1/2 cup sliced red cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 firm pear, cut into matchsticks or slices
- 3/4 cup pomegranate arils
- 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (or cranberries)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare vinaigrette by combining all ingredients in a jar and shaking. Taste and adjust as desired.
- Wash and dry leafy greens.
- Place on large shallow bowl or platter. Toss with cabbage and carrots. Layer on pears. Before pears start to brown, pour dressing over salad mix.
- Finish by garnishing with pomegranates, nuts, apricots and feta cheese.
- Once this salad is dressed, it will not store very well – Eat up!
Notes
- use apples or crispy apple pears instead of or in addition to pears
- use pecans, croutons or roasted chickpeas
- use goat cheese, blue cheese or fresh shaved Parmesan instead of feta
- use dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries or cranberries instead of apricots
- use a different dressing, try creamy poppy seedÂ
- use pepitas or sunflower seeds instead of nuts
- add whole grains like quinoa, wheat, barley or buckwheat for a full meal salad
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Ready to serve up a platter of pear and pomegranate salad? Let me know how it goes, down below in the comments or on Instagram @GetGettyS or on Facebook @GettyStewart.HomeEconomist.