Spinach, Pear, and Pomegranate Salad

This Spinach, Pear, and Pomegranate Salad is light, hearty, delicious, loaded with feta and candied pecans, and exceptionally healthy.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love eating in color.  And this salad offers plenty of rich, vibrant colors that I can eat to my heart’s content.  Besides being a beautiful salad, it also is:

• Rich in iron, Vit. C and E, potassium, and magnesium.
• It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
• A gratifying balance between the sweet pomegranates, pears and the tangy feta.
• The crunchy candied pecans are perfectly coated and toasted to give just a whisper of risqué to this healthy salad.
• Finally, a homemade Maple Dijon Dressing that takes less than 5 minutes to make but that completely changes the flavor profile of the salad.

Candied pecans are one of my favorite types of nuts.  I love roasting nuts with different seasonings, sweet or savory.  In fact, I’ve even added a hint of cayenne to this recipe on occasion just for a little kick (pun intended).

I also tend to double up on the dressing recipe so that I can use it throughout the week for more salads.  Make it a meal and add some rotisserie or baked chicken.

Spinach, Pear, and Pomegranate Salad

January 10, 2023

by Sapna

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Category Salads

Persons

4

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

5 minutes

Total Time

20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Candied Pecans:

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 c pecan halves
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

For the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette:

• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 c Extra Virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• Spinach Salad
• 8-9 ounces baby spinach
• 2 pears, thinly sliced
• ¾ c pomegranate arils
• ½ c feta cheese

Instructions

For the Candied Pecans:

1. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium to medium low heat. Add the sugar and stir until melted.
2. Add the pecans, cinnamon, and cayenne if using. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pecans start to toast. About 3-5 minutes.
3. Transfer to a parchment paper to cool. About 10 minutes.

For the Maple Dijon dressing:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a mason jar and shake well until emulsified.

To assemble the salad:

1. Divide spinach into 4 bowls.
2. Add 1/2 pear sliced into each bowl.
3. Top with pomegranate arils, feta cheese, and candied pecans.
4. Finally, drizzle maple dijon dressing and serve right away.

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Tags

30 minute meals,

Clean Eating,

Eat a Rainbow,

Healthy,

Quick and Easy,

Spinach,

weeknight meals

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