Festive Pear Pomegranate & Pecan Spinach Salad
Yesterday I jumped in with both feet and came up with three salads I think you’ll really enjoy!
The first up is this festive Pear, Pomegranate & Pecan Spinach Salad with Pomegranate Maple Vinaigrette!
You see, I was somewhere between planning our Family Thanksgiving menu and scheduling an upcoming Holiday Luncheon when I realized a serious void on Lemony Thyme. I’m really slacking in the festive salad category.
That was then, this is now!
That beauty shot screams holiday to me! But the truth is, this salad is so quick & easy to make that we don’t have to wait for a special occasion. Make it today!
A simple google search delivered the pomegranate pear one-two punch.
This combo has been done many times which told me it was worth recreating. This holiday-worthy salad has a base of baby spinach, topped with sliced pears, sugared pecans, tangy goat cheese and gorgeous pomegranate arils.
I find the easiest way to free the pomegranate seeds is the ‘bowl of water’ method. Envision that the pomegranate is hexagon in shape. Cut a small section off the bottom, then score the fruit at each of the ridges and pull it apart in sections.
Submerging in water does two things. It keeps your hands and cutting board from becoming stained with red juice. But also, as you free the arils from their membrane, they will sink and the membrane will float.
Or you can now buy a container of pomegranate seeds. You choose.
I decided to pair these beautiful fruits with spinach, but baby greens would be lovely too. I added goat cheese which nicely balances the sweet pear and sugared pecans.
But what really ties this Pear Pomegranate & Pecan Spinach Salad up with a bow is the Pomegranate Maple Vinaigrette.
If you’ve ever made Muhammara Dip before you likely have Pomegranate Molasses on hand. But no worries it’s now widely available and brings big flavor to this salad dressing.
If you need to sign up for a dish to bring to that holiday pot luck…make this salad. I promise it will be a hit!
Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!
All my best,
xo Libby
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Pear Pomegranate & Pecan Spinach Salad with Pomegranate Maple Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the Pomegranate Maple Vinaigrette
- 3 Tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
For the Salad
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 2 pears thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 cup sugared pecans
- 1 cup goat cheese crumbles
Instructions
For the Pomegranate Maple Vinaigrette
- Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a glass jar with lid. Shake well to combine. Store any unused portion in refrigerator for up to a week.
For the Salad
- Arrange spinach on a serving platter. Add sliced pears, sugared pecans, pomegranate seeds and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with Pomegranate Maple Vinaigrette.
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3 Comments
Debbie Palmer
What variety of pear do you recommend?
Sarah Phairoj
Fresh and Beautiful!
libby
Thank you so much! It has become our holiday go-to!