Spinach Salad with Roasted Pears and Oranges

This spinach salad with roasted pears and oranges is bursting with fall flavors and is made in under 30 minutes, including roasting the pears. The sweet pears and oranges are elevated with a tangy red wine vinegar based salad dressing to make this an easy and flavor packed side salad. These roasted pears would also be delicious on this Pear, Prosciutto, and Arugula Flatbread Pizza.

How will this salad with roasted pears make your life easier?

Since I cook for one, I'm all about quick dinners or special ingredients that can be used in a few recipes. This salad is both. You can roast extra pears to eat with vanilla ice cream or put on this Pear & Prosciutto Pizza. This salad is also versatile because you can have it as an easy side to swap with the ones in this easy Pan Fried Pork Chop or Maple Mustard Salmon. You can also add simple grilled chicken, pork, salmon, tofu, or my favorite really quick protein- edamame.

What makes this side salad so good?

• Bartlett pear
• Butter
• Baby spinach
• Navel orange
• Hemp hearts or chopped nuts or sunflower seeds
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

How do I make a spinach salad with roasted pears and sliced oranges?

Roast the pears: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place 1 tsp of butter and sprinkle ⅛ tsp salt into saucepan. Place in oven until butter melts. Slice pear into quarters. Cut seeds out of pear slices.

Expert Tip: Use a slightly ripe Bartlett pear for best results! If your pear is too ripe, it may get too soft/fall apart in the oven.

Remove pan from oven and place each slice of pear into butter-sliced side down. Then place other sliced side down in butter. Return to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until sliced sides become caramelized.

While pears are roasting, prepare salad and dressing: Start by slicing ½ navel orange. Slice in half, then slice ½ into sections. Peel peel off of each section, and remove as much pith as desired. Place 2 c baby spinach leaves on serving plate, top with sliced oranges and 1 tsp hemp hearts.

Expert Tip: I add the hemp hearts for a nice crunch. You can swap them with sliced/chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds. Just something to add some texture to the salad.

Make vinaigrette by pouring 1 T olive oil and 1.5 T red wine vinegar into a small mixing bowl. Then season with salt and pepper to taste (start with about ⅛ tsp of each). Taste and adjust to your preference.

Remove pears from oven, they're done when caramelized on the bottom. Transfer to salad, dress with vinaigrette and enjoy immediately. Top with shaved parmesan if desired.

Expert Tip: Make this a simple full meal by cooking a chicken breast with the pears. You can also add a pork chop, tofu, or salmon to the salad. Croutons or crusty bread is definitely a great addition too!

Expert Tip: I've made this salad with and without the parmesan cheese. It's a great addition, but great without it too!

Expert Tips

• Use a slightly ripe Bartlett pear for best results! If your pear is too ripe, it may get too soft/fall apart in the oven.
• I add the hemp hearts for a nice crunch. You can swap them with sliced/chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds. Just something to add some texture to the salad.
• Make this a simple full meal by cooking a chicken breast with the pears. You can also add a pork chop, tofu, or salmon to the salad. Croutons or crusty bread is definitely a great addition too!
• I've made this salad with and without the parmesan cheese. It's a great addition, but great without it too!

FAQ

What are the best pears for salad?

Bartlett pears are often used in salads. They get really nice and soft, plus they taste really great and sweet. Their skin isn't too thick and mealy too. Bartlett pears are what I've tested this salad recipe with, so that's what I recommend. But you can try it with whatever pears you have. They'll all taste a bit different, but it's better to use what you have on hand instead of have to buy new ingredients.

What months are pears in season?

Pear season is usually August-October. Many are grown in Washington, Oregon, and California. But I've been able to get great local Utah pears during the late summer/early fall. So try local pears if you have them too!

Why are my pears so hard?

Don't worry if you bought Bartlett pears and they're hard. They just need a day or a couple to ripen at room temperature. If you want your pears to last longer, store them in the fridge.

What can I make with leftover ingredients?

• (spinach) Spinach Strawberry Salad, Thai Inspired Beef and Sauteed Spinach, Easy Pistachio Pesto Sauce.
• (oranges) Spinach & Mandarin Orange Salad (swap mandarines for navel orange) or in the topping on this Gingerbread Pound Cake.

Did you make this salad with roasted pears? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

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