Description
A fresh and flavorful Pear and Apple Salad tossed with a creamy poppy seed dressing, featuring crisp romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, roasted cashews, dried cranberries, and sweet, juicy fruit for a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Ready in just 10 minutes, this salad makes a delightful appetizer or light meal for six.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing:
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Salad:
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews, coarsely chopped
- 1 green pear, cored and sliced
- 1 honeycrisp apple, cored and cubed small
- 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, half-and-half, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings if necessary to suit your preference.
- Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, roasted cashews, sliced green pear, cubed honeycrisp apple, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Add the dressing and serve: Just before serving, pour the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the dressing. Divide the salad onto individual plates or bowls, ensuring each serving contains a balanced mix of all the components, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- You can replace half-and-half with milk if preferred.
- To enhance crunch, toast the cashews lightly before adding.
- This salad is best served immediately to prevent the lettuce and fruit from becoming soggy.
- Adjust the sugar in the dressing based on the sweetness of your apples and pears.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
