Recipes

Pear, Celery and Pecan Salad

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This pear, celery, and pecan salad is a tasty mix of sweet and crunchy. You’ll love the blend of crisp pears, crunchy celery, and candied pecans. The salad gets extra flavor from red onion slices and shredded Parmesan cheese.

The star of this dish is the spiced balsamic vinaigrette. It brings together allspice, cinnamon, garlic, and ginger with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. This dressing adds a warm, sweet taste that goes great with the fruit and nuts in the salad. You can make this yummy salad in just 15 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner side.

Exact Ingredients List

This pear, celery and pecan salad combines fresh produce with a flavorful vinaigrette. The ingredients are split into two parts: the salad itself and the dressing.

Salad Ingredients

To make the salad, you’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup chopped candied pecans
  • 4 celery stalks, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, cut into thin strips
  • 2 pears, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 (6 oz) bag mixed salad greens
  • 5 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Toss the pear slices in lemon juice to keep them from browning. The candied pecans add sweetness and crunch. Feel free to use your favorite pear variety.

Spiced Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients

For the dressing, gather these items:

  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Whisk the spices, garlic, maple syrup and vinegar. Then slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking to make the dressing. You can also blend it for a smoother texture.

Instructions

Chop the candied pecans and set them aside. Dice the celery into small pieces. Thinly slice the red onion and pears.

Toss the pear slices with lemon juice to keep them from browning. Put the chopped nuts, celery, onion, and pears in a covered bowl in the fridge.

For the dressing, mix the spices, garlic, maple syrup, and vinegar in a bowl. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking to blend it all together. You can use a blender if you prefer.

When you’re ready to serve, put the mixed greens in a large bowl. Add the chilled nuts, celery, onion, and pears on top.

Pour some of the dressing over everything and gently toss it all together. Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese on top.

Your salad is now ready to enjoy! The mix of sweet pears, crunchy celery, and spiced dressing makes for a tasty combo.

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find all the ingredients for this yummy pear, celery, and pecan salad? No worries! You can swap things out and still make a tasty dish. Here are some easy substitutes:

For the pears:

  • Apples
  • Mangoes
  • Peaches

Instead of pecans, try:

  • Walnuts
  • Almonds
  • Pumpkin seeds

No celery? Use:

  • Cucumber
  • Jicama
  • Fennel

Swap the mixed greens for:

  • Spinach
  • Arugula
  • Romaine lettuce

Don’t have Parmesan? Try:

  • Feta cheese
  • Goat cheese
  • Cheddar

For the dressing, you can replace:

  • Maple syrup with honey
  • Balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar
  • Olive oil with avocado oil

Feel free to mix and match these swaps. The salad will still be yummy and fresh!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this salad more diabetes-friendly, you can make a few simple changes. Start by using plain pecans instead of candied ones. This cuts down on added sugars.

For the dressing, replace the maple syrup with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Use just 1-2 teaspoons to keep the sweetness without the extra carbs.

You can also reduce the amount of pear in the salad. Try using just one pear instead of two. This lowers the overall carb count while still giving you that sweet, crisp flavor.

Consider adding more low-carb veggies to bulk up the salad. Cucumber slices or bell pepper strips work great. They add crunch and nutrients without many carbs.

To boost protein, toss in some grilled chicken breast or hard-boiled egg slices. This helps balance the carbs and keeps you full longer.

Remember to measure your portions carefully. Stick to about 1-2 cups of salad per serving to keep carbs in check.

With these tweaks, you can enjoy this tasty salad while managing your blood sugar levels better.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Choose ripe but firm pears for the best texture. If they’re too soft, they’ll turn mushy in the salad.

To save time, prep the veggies and dressing ahead. Store them separately in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Toss the pear slices in lemon juice right away to keep them from browning. This trick works like magic!

For extra crunch, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Watch them closely so they don’t burn.

Make a big batch of dressing and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a good shake before using.

To store leftovers, keep the greens, toppings, and dressing separate. This way, your salad won’t get soggy.

Try swapping pears for apples or adding some dried cranberries for a fun twist.

For a protein boost, add some grilled chicken or chickpeas to turn this into a hearty meal.

Don’t forget to taste and adjust the dressing. You might want more maple syrup if you like it sweeter.

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