Taste-of-Fall Salad

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
My parents stayed with me at a friend's beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night's first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
Taste-of-Fall Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, divided
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • Dash ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1 package (5 ounces) spring mix salad greens
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium pear, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. In a large heavy skillet, cook the pecans, 2 tablespoons vinegar, cayenne and cinnamon over medium heat until nuts are toasted, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Cook and stir for 2-4 minutes or until sugar is melted. Spread on foil to cool.
  2. Place salad greens in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, mustard, salt and remaining vinegar and sugar; drizzle over greens and toss to coat. Arrange the greens, pear slices and pecans on six salad plates. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 228 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 135mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.