Rocket and Pear Salad
This Rocket and Pear Salad is made with rocket (aka arugula), crisp pears, crunchy toasted walnuts, and shaved Parmesan. It’s a simple salad you can put together in about 15 minutes.
Read on to learn all the best pears for salads and tips and tricks for this arugula salad recipe. Or just grab your pear and rocket, hit that Jump to Recipe button, and let’s make a rocket salad with pear, walnut, and Parmesan!
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Ingredients
Composing a salad isn’t complicated, although it can be complicated if you like. Salads in my house can be a challenge, because I like a simple salad like this Caprese salad with burrata and peaches and Mr. Ugly Duckling Bakery wants a kitchen sink salad like this rainbow salad.
This arugula salad is composed similarly to my arugula and spinach salad with goat cheese and strawberries. It lean towards the simple with:
- rocket (also rucola or arugula) – use the smaller, more tender rocket leaves in salads and save larger leaves for an arugula pesto. Feel free to buy pre-washed rocket for convenience.
- pear – pick a crisp, sweet pear that’s just barely ripe. I particularly like comice pears for salads, or Asian pears also work well. Estimate a quarter pear per person.
- walnuts – whether in a salad or baking in a walnut cake, toasting nuts adds crunch and brings out their nutty flavor. Sub in candied nuts if you want a bit more sweetness.
- Parmesan – Parmesan shavings work best but you can sub in shredded Parm.
- vinaigrette – use the recipe below or any light vinaigrette. This cherry vinaigrette could be delightful with arugula.
Please see the recipe card below for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations and substitutions
- Sub in apple for a rocket and apple salad.
- Omit the walnuts and use almonds or pecans.
- Change out the Parmesan and use brie or gorgonzola.
- Add protein like pan-roasted chicken or pulled duck breast for a duck and pear salad.
Recipe tips and tricks
Like with the kale in kale salads, rocket benefits from a toss in vinaigrette to soften up the leaves. Fifteen to 30 minutes should be enough.
Make some Parmesan shavings. You may be able to do this on a box grater, but I find it easiest to use a vegetable peeler. Note this also works great on bar chocolate to get chocolate curls for decorating the top of a cake like my Tiramisu cake!
Put it all together in a large serving bowl or individual salad plates.
Recipe FAQs
Heat your oven to around 350°F (175°C). Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for five to ten minutes or until they start to smell, well, nutty.
It’s best to compose your rocket salad just before serving to prevent the arugula from wilting. However, you can prepare the parts in advance and assemble them before serving.
If you are preparing this rocket pear salad ahead of time, put some lemon juice and an equal amount of water in a bowl like for these dried apple rings. Dip the pear slices in this solution to prevent browning.
Related salad recipes
Check out all the Ugly Duckling Bakery side dishes for other delicious salad recipes like:
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Recipe
Rocket Pear Salad
Ingredients
Lemon vinaigrette
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon white wine or champagne vinegar
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Rocket pear salad
- 4 cups rocket also called rucola or arugula
- 1 barely ripe pear suggested: Comice
- 2 ounces Parmesan
- â…“ cup walnuts toasted and cooled
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette in a clean glass jar and shake hard to emulsify.½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoon white wine or champagne vinegar, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 ounces Parmesan
- Add the rocket to a medium bowl with enough vinaigrette to thinly coat. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.4 cups rocket
- Slice the pear in quarters and core out the seeds. Slice each pear quarter lengthwise, as thinly as possible.1 barely ripe pear
- Shave the Parmesan using a vegetable peeler onto a clean plate or cutting board.
- Add the rocket to a salad bowl or individual salad plates and top with the pear, Parmesan shavings, and toasted walnuts. Serve with any remaining vinaigrette on the side.â…“ cup walnuts
Notes
Nutrition
You’re an adventurous home cook looking for inspiration in your weeknight meals and weekend baking. Get that inspiration here: