Fall Pear and Pecorino Salad

A beautiful Fall pear salad, with radicchio, arugula, pecans, pancetta, pecorino and a homemade, creamy poppy seed dressing.

This lovely Fall pear salad has just a few ingredients, but so much flavour! It has the sharp and salty Pecorino Romano, to start. When paired with the sweet pears and the creamy poppy seed salad dressing, the peppery arugula and slightly bitter radicchio, the nutty pecans and the crunchy pancetta, it makes for such a satisfying bite. In fact, the flavours in this salad are greater than the sum of their parts. Each forkful is different.

The combination of pears with salty pancetta and nutty pecorino is a winner!

I enjoyed this salad for a quick and easy lunch, but I couldn’t help but think how perfect it would be beside a thick and juicy grilled steak. I don’t know why, because I’m not a frequent grilled-piece-of-red-meat eater. It was just something about the flavours that I just know it would make for the most awesome plate. I’m going to try it soon. I’ll report back :)

Ingredient Notes for Fall Pear and Pecorino Salad

Radicchio: Radicchio isn’t to everyone’s taste. It’s a bitter green, for sure. If you aren’t a fan, use any green you like. If you can find a red-shade green, all the better, to bring some extra colour to your salad.

Pancetta: I love pancetta and often will have some in my fridge. I love it’s chunkier form and quick cooking. I often buy the pre-diced pancetta, for super easy additions to so many dishes. If you don’t have or want to use pancetta, simply substitute bacon.

Pecorino Cheese Nutty pecorino cheese is a wonderful combination with the sweet pears and salty pancetta. Shave it off in slices with a vegetable peeler, so you can enjoy nice-sized pieces with the other ingredients.

If you don’t have pecorino, goat cheese would be excellent in this salad, so do feel free to use it in place of the Pecorino, if you like.

More Fall Salads You Might Like …

Fall Pear Chopped Salad

This Fall Pear Chopped Salad is full of Fall pears, dried cranberries, pecans, goat cheese and bacon bits, on top of romaine lettuce and with a homemade poppy seed dressing. I’m always sad to see Summer move to Fall. Oh I know it’s not technically Fall yet, but in my head … it’s Fall :)...

Fall Harvest Salad

Celebrate harvest season with this delicious and pretty Fall Salad, with apples, pears, cranberries, pecans and sunflower seeds.

Fall Kale and Apple Salad

A Fall-inspired kale salad, with kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, dried cranberries, apple and sunflower seeds. Topped off with a creamy poppy seed dressing.

Fall Pear and Pecorino Salad

A simple and delicious Fall pear salad, with pecorino, pancetta and pecans and a creamy poppy seed dressing.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time20 mins

Servings (adjustable): 4 servings

Ingredients

Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing:

• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil or canola, sunflower etc.
• 1 tsp. poppy seeds

Salad:

• 2 cups baby arugula
• 1 cup Radicchio chopped
• 1/3 cup pecans chopped and toasted (*see instructions)
• 1/4 cup pancetta diced cooked (or bacon)
• 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano shaved (or sub crumbled goat cheese)
• 1/2 pear ripe but firm. cored and thinly sliced
• Balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Instructions

• Prepare salad dressing by combining all ingredients in a jar and shaking vigorously until well blended. Refrigerate until needed. (Note: dressing will taste a little sweet, but once on the salad, it will be perfectly balanced with the other ingredients).
• To toast pecans: Chop pecans and sprinkle on to a microwavable plate. Microwave on high for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Set aside.
  
  
• Cook diced pancetta until the fat is rendered off and it is lightly browned. Remove from pan and allow to cool. If desired, you can chop it into smaller pieces.
• Combine arugula and chopped radicchio on a plate. Arrange pear sliced on top.Sprinkle with toasted pecans, cooked pancetta and shaved Pecorino Romano. Drizzle with poppy seed dressing and then add a small drizzle of balsamic glaze.

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Notes

Be sure to read the “Ingredient and Cook's Notes" (above the recipe card!), where I share more detailed  tips, variations and substitution suggestions for this recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 144mg, Potassium: 136mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 263IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 106mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Jennifer