This roasted pear, Parmesan, and spiced pecan salad is so refreshing, and it was the perfect dinner this weekend when I wanted something light. It's a tasty combination of sweet pears, salty cheese, peppery arugula, and spicy pecans.
I found some huge Asian pears in my local grocery store. They were a bit pricey, all decked out in their mesh jackets, but they were perfect for roasting, and just burst with juice when we sliced into them. In addition, I found some authentic Parmigiano Reggiano yesterday that I couldn't resist.
The pecans in this salad are tossed in hot maple syrup, and then dusted with cinnamon, chili powder, and sea salt. They are sticky and sweet.. and difficult to resist as they sit waiting to be tossed into the salad.
It's Secret Recipe Club reveal day!! Each month we are assigned a member's blog from which to make a recipe! This month I was assigned 84th & 3rd, a gorgeous blog written and photographed by JJ. She is a writer, recipe developer, and photographer who just happens to live in Sydney, Australia.
Her photographs are simply stunning and her food is "veg-aquarian." I had a hard time deciding what to make but finally narrowed it down to either this Smoked Salmon Breakfast Pizza, this Smokey Beer and Onion Barbecue Sauce (she still makes meat for the carnivores in her life). or these Rye Sourdough Crackers. I've bookmarked all of these. I finally settled on this Roasted Pear, Parmesan, and Spiced Pecan Salad. Delicious!
Please hop over to JJ's blog and check out all of the beautiful food and read all of her wonderful stories.
Roasted Pear, Parmesan, and Spiced Pecan Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
Sticky Spiced Pecans
1/2 C pecan halves
1 T maple syrup (JJ uses rice syrup)
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of chipotle chili powder
Pinch of sea salt
Dressing
Generous 1/8 C extra virgin olive oil
Generous 1/8 C balsamic vinegar
Pinch of salt
Pinch of oregano
Pinch of sugar
Salad
One bunch of arugula, washed and trimmed
Two large Asian pears, or three to four "regular" pears, quartered and cored (do not peel)
Juice from one lemon
One to two ounces of Parmesan cheese, shaved
Instructions
- Prepare a sheet pan with parchment or foil and set aside. In a nonstick skillet, heat the maple syrup on low. When it is just beginning to bubble, toss in the pecans and spices and stir to coat the nuts. Pour the nuts onto the prepared sheet pan and spread out in a single layer.
- Mix the dressing ingredients.
- Prepare a sheet pan with foil. Set your oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler and turn the oven on to broil.
- Toss the pear quarters in the lemon juice and place them, skin side down, onto the foil lined baking sheet. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes, watching closely.
- Place the arugula into four bowls or plates. Divide the pecans, warm pears, and shaved cheese among the bowls. Drizzle with the dressing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Happy Reveal Day!! What I great recipe, perfect pick with summer on it's way:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynn!
DeleteI loved 84th and 3rd's blog too!! Great pick - it looks so refreshing and healthy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan!
DeleteThis salad is gorgeous. Rocket, pear and parmesan is one of my favourite combos, especially when the pears are roasted. I would very happily make a meal of this.
ReplyDeleteIt was perfect. Thanks!
DeleteWhat an amazing salad. I love the contrasting flavors! Great pick this month :)
ReplyDeleteWe loved it Melissa.
Deletethis salad sounds so good! Pear, pecan and parmesan.. 3 delicious P's :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd thought of that Mendeja!
DeleteLove nuts and fruit with salads - it's the best combination!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reveal Day!
Thanks so much Sarah, and thanks for all of your hard work.
DeleteThat salad hits every flavor note!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I'm so glad I tried it.
DeleteBeautiful salad, elegant and flavorful, perfect! I have never used Asian pears, an ingredient I find quite intriguing... gotta search for it
ReplyDeleteThey are really juicy, but firm like an apple. Kind of like a large Bosc pear. Thanks for visiting Sally!
DeleteYum! This seems like just the perfect salad! I love how it has all the flavor profiles.
ReplyDeleteIt was good!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous salad - great choice this month!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love this group!
DeleteGreat combo of flavors! I love the sweet & salty! Sounds like an awesome salad :)
ReplyDeleteIt was Jess. =)
DeleteThose pecans need to happen! Gotta go to the store and get some pecan halves (I only have diced pecans for baking)
ReplyDeleteIt was hard not to eat them before putting them on the salad.
DeleteBeautiful, beautiful salad :-) I want a HUGE bowl of this ASAP!
ReplyDeleteGuilt free!
DeleteHi Karen, what a wonderful salad, I bet the extra step with the pecans is well worth it, just the description alone is enough to drive me straight to the kitchen. Sounds like a fun club!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun Cheri! It gets me to try new recipes that I might not have tried too.
DeleteOooh, this looks SO good! Yum yum. :) Visiting from group A. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara!
DeleteThese are so many of my favorite flavors, looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Kay!
DeleteWow, what a wonderful combination! I have never had pears on a salad. Definitely need to try this.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty yummy. I definitely recommend the flavor combo.
DeleteYay! This is one of my favourite salads and using Asian pear is a great twist! Thanks for the kind words and happy April reveal :)
ReplyDeleteThe Asian pears were great in this salad. Thanks for the recipe!
DeleteThis sounds like a great combo - especially those nuts!
ReplyDelete