Pears are one of those fruits that I absolutely adore but I never buy many of.
I can never seem to get a “good” one, if you know what I mean.
Perhaps I just don’t know how to pick ‘em?
I really love those old school pears in syrup. I probably can’t ever find a good pear because I expect them to taste like the ones in syrup. Why can’t everything taste that good?
I spied this salad in an old issue of Traverse magazine and it sounded delicious to me.
And you know when a salad that doesn’t contain bacon or loads of cheese sounds tasty to me, it must mean something.
The kicker was how I dressed this salad.
I used a cinnamon-pear balsamic combined with olive oil, and let me tell you that it was fabulous. Combined with some cinnamon-toasted pecans, it was a salad I actually enjoyed. The cinnamon pecans are really easy too – just add them to a skillet with a sprinkle of cinnamon and toast for a few minutes, constantly turning.
If we are being honest, I probably liked the salad so much because of the balsamic, but… whatever works, right?
Pear-adise Salad
inspired by Traverse Magazine, March 2009
2 cups spring greens
1 ripe pear
1/2 tomato, chopped
1/2 ounce goat cheese
1 ounce pecans (I toasted mine with cinnamon)
Combines all ingredients on a dish and top with dressing of choice.
Three cheers to eating a salad with some actual vegetables.
Even if I did eat 7 brownies afterward.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
Looks like a fantastic salad! I love the paring of the pears, nuts, and cheese!
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Mmm, I love apples in salad, and I like pears as much as apples. ;)
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That salad looks so good! And I feel the same as you with pears. I love them when they’re perfectly ripe. But its always so hard to find a good one.
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This looks like a great salad, I love pears too but it has to be that perfect one… firm, but still juicy. So hard! :P
xo
Kris
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I buy pears almost every week because thats the fruit the man likes in his lunches. The salad looks lovely- I love fruit in my salads and I bet that dressing paired perfectly.
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Ha ha It is all about balance!
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3 cheers is right!!
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I really like pears, but for some reason I don’t really ever buy them. I have to be in a certain mood to pick one up, but I like the idea of putting them in salads.
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I love pears, so this is the perfect salad for me!
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That salad looks so fresh and delicious! YUM!
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Looks beautiful. My husband loves pears in his salad! I have tried roasting them before sliding them on top in the past…gives it a little more of that “pears in syrup” taste.
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I have found a new love and adoration for goat cheese on salads, or just by the spoonful. Paired up with sweet pears sounds like a great match!
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I love pear salads as well, but like you, I don’t buy pears that often. The cinnamon-pear balsamic sounds amazing!!! I think I need to buy some pears this week. :)
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Good job eating some veggies ;)
Looks awesome!
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Love pears too. What an excellent way to enjoy them :)
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This salad looks gorgeous and that cinnamon-pear balsamic sounds out of this world!
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I’m the same way– I have SO much trouble finding decent pears! They’re either WAY too hard or WAY too soft. This salad could convince me to try harder though :-)
Yesterday, when we were driving through Pittsburgh to go to the airport, I shouted a big hello to you :-)
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I’m glad I’m not alone on the pear issue. Everytime I think I’ve found a winner, nope. But this salad looks amazing. ps. i love your blog — always see you posting on YHL & now I started a new health related blog and I’m still seeing your name pop up! love it.
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This salad sounds & looks delicious!
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I am so proud of you and the salad efforts.
Even if you did have a copious amount of brownies after.
It’s all about balance, my friend.
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The more I read through your posts, the more I think we are opposites on food. I hate pears, and a lot of other foods you post. And yet, I run into posts where you say you don’t like something and I think, “But that’s delicious! Om nom nom nom!”
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It’s a gorgeous salad, so colorful!!!
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This looks so fresh and summery! Love it!
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I think that oriental/Korean pears are the best. They’ve been in season here in China for a while now, and they are SO good. So beautifully sweet and crisp… Mmm. I had some just now, actually. Delicious.
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I eat a version of this salad at least once a week. I add dried cranberries to mine!
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What a gorgeous salad, Jessica! I have never heard of cinnamon-pear balsamic vinegar! It sounds amazing! And hey- if it tastes great to you (without bacon!), it must be good stuff! :-D
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oOO YUM! I love fun salads!
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I’m pretty sure that eating a salad for dinner automatically means whatever you eat afterward doesn’t count.
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i LOVE pears, but I too, buy themwhen I am in the mood, I find that they always get so soft if I buy too many! i LOVE them roasted with some balsamic…and I love the idea of roasting pecans in cinnamon!
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What a yummy looking salad! I love pears and the balsamic sounds SO good! Thanks for sharing!
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Jessica! This looks divine!
I’ve been loving chopped granny smith apples in my salads lately!
I too struggle with finding GOOD pears!
I like a pear to be HARD…and so many are mushy!
Your pics are fabulous!
Love your blog Sweet Girl!
xo
Oh! And I am loving Hot Yoga! ;o)
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LOL. I love salads with some sort of candied nut on top, especially with fruit and goat cheese!
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love the idea of toasting the pecans with cinnamon!
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this is beautiful! and i don’t even love salads!
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I have been craving pears lately. Seriously, the crunch/the tartness, etc. I love new salad toppers. Thanks!
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The combination of the pears and pecans sounds delicious!
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The salad looks delicious and I’m the same way! I can never pick a good pear — it is either too hard or pure mush!
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That salad looks great. I always love fruit on a salad. If you want some really good (and I mean REALLY GOOD) pears, order the Royal Riveria Pears from Harry and David. They are heaven!
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Jessica — August 19th, 2010 @ 8:38 am
I have had them! They are AMAZING. That is probably my problem. They set the bar so high that I can’t buy any that taste as good.
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look at you eating a salad! :)
I have the same ‘issue’ with pears… I love them, but I guess I don’t really know how to pick a good one. I don’t like the syrup, but I get the canned in juice sometimes… :)
I always say I’m “vegan except for cheese” and that really means goat cheese… I love it – especially on salads…
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The pictures of your salad are gorgeous! I want to reach through my screen! And it’s 8:45am! I shouldn’t be desiring a salad. But it looks delicious!
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I agree with you … a good pear is very hard to come by.
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love the name :) pears are SO good! it is definitely hard to find the perfect pear. either too hard or too mushy. pear+goat cheese is to die for. i once made a pear, goat cheese & spinach panini. yum.
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Jessica — August 19th, 2010 @ 9:29 am
Oh yum. Please come make me that for lunch.
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I have the same problem with pears.
I made pasta last night with peas and BACON. Is it creepy that I thought of you…?
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Jessica — August 19th, 2010 @ 9:29 am
No it’s AWESOME!
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Pears are like the forgotten stepchild of fruit. I love them but never ever buy them. Poor pears.
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Gorgeous presentation. I’m loving fruit in salads right now – great way to mask some of the “lettuceness” of a salad if you know what I mean.
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That balsamic sounds amazing! Yum! And I agree – good pears are hard to fine. One year I got Harry and David pears sent to me as a gift – they were amazing and nothing since has come close!
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The balsamic sounds awesome! I love trying new flavors :)
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You could consider experimenting with dried pears. You can reconstituted them with some hot water and use in a variety of baking/cooking items — the taste still comes out more intense and sweet.
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I love the pears in syrup. If it’s wrong, I don’t want to be right.
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I’ll eat anything with goat cheese. This looks fabulous!
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