Pear Hazelnut Salad with Crystallized Ginger Dressing

Brighten up your table with this elegant Pear Hazelnut Salad with Crystallized Ginger Dressing—a symphony of flavors and textures that's both refreshing and indulgent. Crisp mixed greens form the perfect base for tender, sliced pears, crunchy toasted hazelnuts, and creamy goat cheese, creating a balanced medley of sweet, nutty, and tangy notes. The star of the dish is the zesty crystallized ginger dressing, a unique blend of finely minced ginger, honey, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar that elevates every bite with its aromatic sweetness. Ready in just 20 minutes, this vibrant salad makes a stunning starter or light main course, perfect for entertaining or an easy gourmet meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., arugula, spinach, or mesclun)
• 2 medium ripe pears (e.g., Anjou or Bartlett)
• 1 cup raw hazelnuts
• 0.5 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, finely minced
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Toast the hazelnuts: Preheat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the hazelnuts and toast for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly, then roughly chop.

Step 2

Prepare the pears: Rinse the pears under cold water. Slice them in half, remove the cores, and cut them into thin wedges.

Step 3

Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced crystallized ginger, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, white wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well blended.

Step 4

Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced pears, toasted hazelnuts, and crumbled goat cheese.

Step 5

Add the dressing: Drizzle the crystallized ginger dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 6

Serve: Divide the salad among four plates. Serve immediately as a crisp, flavorful starter or a light main dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(923.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2034.2

Total Fat 167.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 68.4mg	0%
Sodium 1224.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 112.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.0g	0%
Total Sugars 66.9g
Protein 47.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 516.9mg	0%
Iron 11.6mg	0%
Potassium 2055.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 70.1%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 21.0%