Name: Fall Pear Chopped Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 head romaine lettuce (chopped in to bite-sized pieces); 3 slices bacon (cooked, cooled and crumbled); 1/2 cup goat cheese (crumbled); 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup pecan halves (roughly chopped); 2 medium pears (core removed and roughly chopped (peeled or un-peeled)); 1 Tbsp granulated white sugar; 1 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar (or white wine vinegar); 3 Tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 Tbsp vegetable oil (or canola, or other neutral tasting oil); 1 tsp poppy seeds; Pinch salt and pepper; Balsamic Glaze (for drizzling)

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A lovely Fall pear salad with goat cheese, dried cranberries, pecans and bacon, on top of romaine lettuce and with a homemade poppy seed dressing.

I don't like to pick favourite salads, but let's just say this one would be right up there! The combination of flavours is just a winner. It starts with ripe, firm Fall pears and is combined with dried cranberries, pecans, goat cheese and bacon. Yes, bacon is the perfect salty note in this salad and it pairs so well with the other flavours. It also provides a bit more heartiness for Fall.

As for salad dressing, I use a quick and easy homemade poppy seed dressing, then finish it all off with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. If you're not familiar with balsamic glaze, I highly recommend adding it to your pantry. It is essentially balsamic vinegar that is lightly sweetened and reduced in to a thicker liquid. It's sold in handy, dandy squeeze bottles, so it's easy to grab and drizzle on all kinds of things.

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Ingredient Notes
Cook's Notes
Recipe Video
What to serve with this Fall Pear Chopped Salad
Recipe
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Comments, Questions and Reviews

Ingredient Notes

Lettuce - I've used romaine lettuce here, but you can easily use another green or a mixture of greens, if you prefer.

Cheese - I used goat cheese, as I love the creaminess in this salad and it pairs beautifully with pears. Feta is another option, if you prefer.

Pears - As for which pears to use, I love Bosc pears, as they have a lovely texture and flavour, but Bartlett or Anjou pears are nice as well. Use pears that are ripe, but still have some firmness, for best results. If you want to change it up, try Red Pears. They are quite firm, even when ripe, with a more tart, almost apple-like flavour.

Bacon - The salty note from the bacon is a nice addition to this salad, but you can certainly omit for a vegetarian option.

Balsamic Glaze - Look for store-bought balsamic glaze in with the balsamic vinegars. It comes in smaller squeeze bottles. I like the Nonna Pia brand. Alternately, you can simply reduce regular balsamic vinegar in a saucepan with a little bit of brown sugar, simmering until it is syrupy.

Cook's Notes

You don't want to cut the pears for the salad ahead, as they will brown as they sit. Cut them just before serving. I don't peel mine. You can if you like.

Don't dress the salad too far ahead, as it will get soggy. I try to have everything chopped and ready, but stored separately, then I just bring them together, toss and dress shortly before serving.

Recipe Video

What to serve with this Fall Pear Chopped Salad

I love this salad for lunch, on it's own, or for dinner, with something simple liked grilled chicken or pork.

Later in the Fall, it would be nice paired with my Braised Beef Stew with Cranberries. Add some mashed potatoes for a delicious and hearty meal!

For entertaining, maybe pair this lovely salad with pork tenderloin, roasted up with a simple balsamic glaze and sliced. Here are a few from the Seasons & Suppers archives ...

Cranberry Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Recipe

Fall Pear Chopped Salad

A delicious Fall salad, featuring fresh pears, dried cranberries, pecans, goat cheese and a bit of bacon. One of my favourite salads any time of year!

Author: Jennifer

5 stars from 4 ratings

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Course Salad

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

For salad:

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped in to bite-sized pieces
3 slices bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled
1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
2 medium pears, core removed and roughly chopped (peeled or un-peeled)

Poppy Seed Salad Dressing:

1 Tbsp granulated white sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar, or white wine vinegar
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp vegetable oil, or canola, or other neutral tasting oil
1 tsp poppy seeds
Pinch salt and pepper

To Serve:

Balsamic Glaze, for drizzling

Instructions

Cook bacon until crisp. Set aside to cool, then crumble.
Prepare the salad dressing by combining all ingredients and whisking until smooth, thickened and creamy. Set aside.
Add chopped romaine to salad bowl. Top with dried cranberries, pecans, chopped pear, bacon and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with some of the poppy seed dressing. Toss to combine, adding more dressing if needed.
Drizzle top with balsamic glaze. Serve and enjoy

Notes

Be sure to read the "Cook's Notes" in the original post, for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!

Nutrition

Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

Course Salad

Cuisine American, Canadian

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