NancyC

Food, Home & Faith

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Apple Pear Pecan Salad

It’s always fun trying out different ways to make salads—it makes salad-eating a little more interesting! In the summer months, I like adding strawberries and blueberries to my salads. So I thought I’d try making an “autumn” type of salad with apples and pears. There’s also creamy crumbles of feta cheese mixed in, along with some healthy pecans that give this salad a nice flavor and crunch!

I learned recently that pecans are rich in antioxidants and also rich in fiber—a handful of pecans contain the same amount of fiber as a medium-sized apple! So pecans are definitely a great add-in to this salad!

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APPLE PEAR PECAN SALAD by NancyC

Makes 6-8 servings

  • 8 cups of packaged salad mix (about a 5.5-ounce package) or coarsely chopped romaine lettuce
  • 2/3 cup dried cranberries, divided
  • 1 medium or large apple, unpeeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium or large pear, unpeeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese, divided
  • 1 cup pecan halves or coarsely chopped pecans, toasted or untoasted, divided (I used Bergeron Pecans)
  • 1 bottle of your favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (regular or lite)

In a large salad bowl, toss together the lettuce, half of the dried cranberries (1/3 cup), and all of the chopped apple and pear. Then add in half of the crumbled feta cheese and half of the pecans (1/2 cup) and toss all ingredients together. Sprinkle the remaining dried cranberries, pecans, and feta cheese on top. Serve on individual plates and drizzle each serving with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.

Toasting Pecans: For more crunchiness and flavor, you can toast your pecans in the oven by spreading in a single layer in a shallow baking pan; bake at 350˚ for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. To toast pecans on the stove top, place them in an ungreased skillet and cook on medium heat until golden brown, stirring frequently. To toast pecans in the microwave, place up to 1 cup pecans in a microwaveable shallow dish; microwave on high until crisp, stirring every 30 seconds.

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This salad is great with a meal—a larger serving of it can even be a meal in itself!

What types of recipes do you like to use pecans in?

Sharing at Weekend Potluck, Meal Plan Sunday, Grace at Home, Thursday Favorite Things, Full Plate Thursday, Homestead Blog Hop, LouLou Girls, Wonderful Wednesday, Happiness is Homemade, Inspire Me Monday.

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21 responses to “Apple Pear Pecan Salad”

  5. Beautiful salad and beautifully photographed as well. Lately, I’ve been topping my salads with roasted vegetables, like butternut squash and varieties of carrots. You’re right…makes salad eating more interesting!

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  12. Made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it, esp the combination of flavors, colors and textures! I hardly ever eat pears anymore so this was a treat! Do you have a good homemade vinaigrette recipe as well you could share?

    Liked by 1 person

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