Pear Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Pear Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Nothing like the combination of salad greens with sliced sweet pears, poppy seed dressing and gorgonzola cheese! Perfect combination of sweet and savory. Elegant salad for your holiday table, dinner for two or whenever!! 

Pear Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Makes 2 large – 4 side salads

Ingredients:

Homemade Poppy seed dressing

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1/2 cup light mayo or Plain Greek yogurt

  • 1/3 cup low fat milk

  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds 

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Salad

  • 1 pkg mixed spring greens

  • 1 fresh, ripe pear, peeled and thinly sliced, ~ 8-10 slices

  • 1/3 cup plain or candied walnuts

  • 2 -3 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola or Blue cheese

  • Poppy seed dressing

Equipment needed:

  • Small food processor

    **Or medium mixing bowl and wire whisk 

  • Measuring spoons

  • Measuring cups, dry and liquid

  • Glass jar or storage container

This salad is about the easiest salad to prepare and the homemade dressing is the best! I make most of the salad dressings that we eat. Healthier with no extra preservatives and artificial thickners. Of course, you can always skip making the dressing and purchase one of the numerous poppy seed dressings on the market, but they are all pretty expensive and super high in calories and fat. This dressing is prepared in about 5 minutes…. Double WIN!!

To make the dressing:

1) Place all ingredients for the dressing in a small food processor or medium bowl. Pulse 5 or 6 times to blend well or whisk until smooth.

2) Transfer dressing into a glass or plastic container/ jar for storage. Dressing keeps well for one – two days. After a day or two the dressing will taste fine, except it may become runnier with time. 

To assemble the salad:

3) Place mixed greens on a plate or larger salad bowl.

4) Place sliced pears in a circular pattern around plate.

5) Sprinkle with cheese and walnuts… Drizzle with salad dressing. Finished… See I told you it was easy!! Perfect side for steak, prime rib or a large entrée salad… Enjoy!!