Must-Try Summer Dinner Salad Recipe: Grilled Chicken, Pear & Brown Sugar Pecans | The Style Chase

pecans

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats, while sunflower seeds are budget-friendly.

goat cheese

🥗Healthier: feta cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Feta is lower in fat, and cream cheese is often less expensive.

balsamic vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: red wine vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is lighter, and red wine vinegar is usually cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point, and canola oil is cost-effective.

Begin by preparing the pecans. In a saucepan, combine 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 pinch of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1 cup of pecans.

Bring the mixture to a boil on the stove, stirring occasionally until the pecans are coated and fragrant.

Once cooked, spread the pecans onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool.

While the pecans cool, prepare the salad. Use a spring mix of lettuces and one ripe pear per person, peeling the pear partially and slicing it thinly.

In a separate bowl, make the balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Combine 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 clove of minced garlic.

Whisk in 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil until well combined.

Assemble the salad by combining the spring mix, sliced pears, and the cooled pecans in a large bowl.

Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens