FRESH PEAR AND CHERRY SALAD WITH VANILLA PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Fresh Pear and Cherry Salad with Vanilla Pear Vinaigrette image

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.

Provided by Erin

Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Salad Dressing Recipes Yogurt Dressing Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

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

Steps:

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.
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.
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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1000.4 calories, Carbohydrate 128.5 g, Cholesterol 38.5 mg, Fat 49.3 g, Fiber 17 g, Protein 22.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.4 g, Sodium 1297.2 mg, Sugar 96 g