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.
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
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 and Pecorino Salad
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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
This salad does look like it would be amazing both by itself, but also with a steak! Definitely need to try this!
Jennifer says
Thanks Phi. This was a delicious salad! Definitely recommend, any way :)
Jules @ WolfItDown says
This looks like the perfect Summer lunch, so fresh! I have yet to try and pair (or should I say "pear"...sorry! Bad pun..and intended...hah!) pear with savoury ingredients, but I have heard it works really well with ham and cheese, and this tastes as divine as it looks I bet! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, I was glad to stumble upon your blog :) x
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Jules. Thanks for stopping by!
The pear is lovely in the salad. I find pears much like apples in that they're not super sweet like some fruit, so it's a little easier to "pair" them with salad ingredients.
Millie l Add A Little says
This looks amazing! Love the different textures going on in the salad and I love adding fruit so this looks so tasty!
Jennifer says
Thanks Millie!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love these flavors, what a tasty salad!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Laura!