Fresh Pear and Cherry Salad with Vanilla Pear Vinaigrette

A mix of juicy pears, sweetened nuts, dried cherries, and feta cheese makes this is a show-stopping sweet salad! The taste and colors will impress! You may add more of the pear syrup to the dressing to make it thinner, or increase the amount of yogurt for creamier results.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Calories: 1000 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 cup walnuts
• ½ cup dried cherries
• 1 pear - peeled, cored and sliced
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can pears in light syrup, drained reserving syrup
• 3 tablespoons fat-free vanilla yogurt
• ½ (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
• ½ (10 ounce) bag spinach leaves

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine sugar, cinnamon and walnuts in a skillet over medium heat. Mix together until sugar and cinnamon are melted and walnuts are evenly coated. Remove from heat. Spread walnuts on a large plate to cool.

Step 2

In the container of a blender, combine the drained pears, 1/3 cup of the reserved syrup from the can, vinegar, yogurt, honey, salt, pepper, vanilla extract, and nutmeg; blend until smooth.

Step 3

Assemble the salad by tossing together the mixed greens, spinach, pear slices, dried cherries, feta cheese, and walnuts in a serving bowl. Serve with dressing on the side.