You are going to Fall for this salad! Naturally gluten-free and vegan, it is a simple green salad that pairs with just about everything- making a basic meal special. Plus it includes a healthier take on candied walnuts that are out of this world!
Green Salad with Candied Walnuts + Fresh Pears
Savory,Tangy, Sweet, Tart and Delish!
You are going to love this Simple Green Salad with healthy-ish CANDIED WALNUTS & FRESH PEARS.
It’s savory, tangy, sweet, tart and oh so yummy!
And because it’s so simple, this salad goes with just about anything— making a basic meal feel Fall-like and special, and working equally well on a Thanksgiving table!
The details… A big bowl of greens, crisp pear slices, tart dried cranberries and MY FAVE easy & “healthier” Candied Walnuts all tossed in a tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette.
It’s a great mix and balance of flavors and textures.
The Candied Walnuts make the salad in in my opinion.
They are addictively delicious!
And they are a healthier version of the classic, made with just 5 ingredients: walnuts, coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
And they come together in about 10 minutes.
First you toast the walnuts for 4 minutes.
While they toast, you whisk together the other ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix the toasted walnuts with the other ingredients, then place them back in the oven for 6 minutes. That’s it!
The walnuts are a perfect thing to meal prep whenever you have 10 minutes because they store well at room temp for several days.
And the balsamic vinaigrette comes together in minutes!
All you need to do is whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shallots, dijon mustard and a pinch of salt.
You can make everything ahead of time and just mix it together when ready to eat.
Because this salad is so simple, it’s a perfect side salad.
It goes with just about anything.
We like to make it on days we have a simple pasta or order in pizza. But you could just as easily serve it at brunch or at a holiday table.
It’s also very adaptable, use cranberries in place of cherries. Or pecans in place of walnuts. If you eat dairy, feel free to add in some goat cheese.
A simple green salad that pairs with everything! It's a fresh and delicious mix of flavors and textures, a perfect balance of sweet, tangy and savory. Works equally well alongside pizza or pasta as on a holiday table.
Author: Healthy Gluten-Free Family
Recipe type: Salad, Fall, Holiday
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Vegan
Serves: 3-4 servings
Ingredients
Candied Walnuts (store well at room temperature in a sealed container for several days)
1 heaping cup raw walnuts or pecans
4 teaspoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons coconut sugar
4 teaspoons maple syrup
generous pinch sea salt
generous pinch cinnamon
Balsamic Vinaigrette (makes more than you might need for the salad. Save in an air tight container to use for the next few days)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon dijon mustard
½ shallot, finely chopped
Pinch each sea salt and black pepper
Salad
1 5 oz container mixed greens
1 Bosc or Bartlett Pear, or a combination of the two, sliced thin.
¼ cup dried cranberries (or tart cherries)
Instructions
Candied Walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place raw walnuts in single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet and toast for 4 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients in a heat proof bowl.
Remove walnuts from oven and add to bowl with remaining ingredients. Gently stir to combine and place back on parchment lined baking sheet in single layer.
Place back in oven and bake for another 4-6 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown.
Set aside to cool.
Store extra walnuts in an a well sealed container.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Whisk all ingredients together until well combined.
Adjust to tastes as desired. Add in more balsamic for tanginess or mustard for creaminess and spice.
Store extra vinaigrette in a well sealed container in refrigerator for several days.
Salad
When ready to serve, place greens in a bowl and toss with a small amount of vinaigrette.
Add in pear, cherries and walnuts, reserving some for garnish,
Hi! My name is Karen, and I’m the mom in our Healthy Gluten-Free Family. My posts and pictures here and on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter are labors of love that allow me to share a very personal journey with you, one our family has taken together — learning, experimenting and sharing how to raise a healthy happy gluten-free family. Read more ...