Description

A fresh and colourful salad featuring tender baby spinach, juicy pears, sweet dried cranberries, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and bright pomegranate seeds, finished with a simple sweet-tangy maple-balsamic dressing.

Ingredients

For the Salad

6 cups fresh baby spinach (180 g)

2 ripe pears, thinly sliced (340 g)

1/2 cup dried cranberries (60 g)

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (75 g)

1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (55 g)

1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (30 g)

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (40 g)

For the Maple-Balsamic Dressing

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (45 ml)

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (30 ml)

1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup (30 g)

1 tsp Dijon mustard (5 g)

1/2 tsp garlic powder (1.5 g)

1/4 tsp salt (1 g)

1/4 tsp black pepper (0.5 g)

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Instructions

1. Place the fresh baby spinach in a large salad bowl or serving platter. Add the thinly sliced pears, dried cranberries, crumbled feta cheese, chopped walnuts, sliced red onion, and pomegranate seeds.

2. In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake until the dressing is smooth and well combined.

3. Pour the maple-balsamic dressing over the salad just before serving. Gently toss everything together so the spinach and other ingredients are evenly coated. Take care not to break up the pear slices or feta too much.

4. Serve the salad immediately while the spinach is fresh and crisp. If preparing it ahead of time, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving for the best texture.

Notes

Choose firm-ripe pears that are juicy but still firm enough to hold their shape when sliced. Make sure the spinach is well drained before assembling the salad so the dressing coats the leaves properly. Toss the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and fresh. Slice the pears just before serving to help maintain their fresh appearance and texture. Gently toss the salad so the feta remains in small creamy pieces rather than becoming overly mixed into the dressing. The salad ingredients can be assembled in advance, but keep the dressing separate until ready to serve. Firm-ripe pears work especially well because they provide sweetness while holding their shape. Goat cheese or another mild crumbly cheese can be used instead of feta. Lightly toasting the walnuts adds extra crunch and a deeper nutty flavour. Allow them to cool before adding. For the best texture, store any undressed salad and the dressing separately in the refrigerator. The maple-balsamic dressing can be prepared ahead of time. Give it a quick whisk or shake before using. Serve alongside roasted vegetables, chicken, turkey, or other hearty main dishes, or enjoy as a light lunch with crusty bread.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American