Best 3 Spinach Pear Salad From Restaurateur Tom Douglas Recipes

Are you craving a salad that is both refreshing and satisfying? Look no further than Tom Douglas's Spinach Pear Salad! This delightful dish combines the sweetness of pears, the crunchiness of walnuts, the creaminess of blue cheese, and the salty tang of bacon. Tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing, this salad is a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will leave you feeling satisfied and refreshed.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

SPINACH PEAR SALAD FROM RESTAURATEUR, TOM DOUGLAS

Spinach Pear Salad from Restaurateur, Tom Douglas image

This salad is perfect. AND the curried cashews make outstanding appetizers, garnishes, snacks or gifts; the honey-sesame dressing can be used on any number of salads. The contrast of colors, flavors and textures is inspired. Tom Douglas is chef and owner of 4 Seattle eateries and this salad has been on his menu.

Provided by sugarpea

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 35m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

3/4 cup cashews (about 3 ounces)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon minced garlic
coarse salt
freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil or 1/2 cup peanut oil
1/2 lb smoky thick slab bacon (about twelve 1/4" thick slices)
12 cups loosely packed spinach leaves, no stems,torn to bite-size
6 cups loosely packed frisee, torn to bite-size
2/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
3 small pears, halved,cored,thinly sliced
6 bunches grapes, small for garnish

Steps:

Curried Cashews: Preheat oven to 400°; toast cashews on baking sheet for 8-10 minutes or until golden; combine remaining ingredients; add hot cashews, toss until coated; set aside to cool.
Honey-Sesame Vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients and whisk until emulsified.
Salad: Cut bacon into 1/2" pieces and cook until crisp.
Put greens, onions and sliced pears in a bowl and toss with enough vinaigrette to coat everything well.
Place salad on six plates; sprinkle each with bacon and curried cashews; garnish with cluster of grapes placed at the side of each plate.

SPINACH, PEAR, AND FRISEE SALAD WITH CURRIED CASHEWS

Spinach, Pear, and Frisee Salad with Curried Cashews image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable or peanut oil
3/4 cup cashews (about 3 ounces)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or more, to taste
1/2 pound bacon, sliced (about twelve 1/4-inch-thick slices)
12 cups loosely packed spinach leaves, washed well, dried, stems trimmed and torn into pieces if leaves are large
6 cups loosely packed frisee, stems trimmed, washed, dried, and torn into bite-size pieces
2/3 cup thinly sliced red onions
3 small pears, halved, cored, and thinly sliced
6 small bunches grape

Steps:

To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, sesame seeds, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil. Set aside.
To make the curried cashews, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
On a baking sheet, toast the cashews until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter, rosemary, curry powder, brown sugar, salt, and cayenne in a bowl. Add the toasted cashews while they are still hot and toss with a rubber spatula so they are thoroughly coated with the spices and butter. Leave the oven on to cook the bacon.
Put the bacon on a baking sheet, place it in the oven, and cook until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and cut the slices into 1-inch pieces. Keep the bacon warm.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach, frisee, red onions, and sliced pears. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat everything well.
Divide the salad among 6 plates. Garnish each salad with pieces of warm bacon and spiced cashews. Set a grape cluster on the side of each salad.
The bacon can be cooked ahead, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated. The cashews can be cooked early in the day and stored at room temperature. The vinaigrette can be stored refrigerated, tightly covered, for several days.

SPINACH AND PEAR SALAD

Spinach and Pear Salad image

From Cooking Light (October 2001). I love pears, and they are wonderful in salads. Some feta and/or some nuts (pecans, walnuts) would also be good in this.

Provided by Vino Girl

Categories Spinach

Time 15m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pear, cut lengthwise into 15 slices
8 cups spinach, torn
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Place the pear slices in a large bowl.
Spoon 1 tablespoon dressing over pears; toss to coat.
Add the remaining dressing, spinach, and onion; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 71.9, Fat 3, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 61.3, Carbohydrate 11.4, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 7.3, Protein 1.7

Tips:

Use fresh, ripe ingredients. This will ensure that your salad is packed with flavor.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different greens. Arugula, watercress, and radicchio are all great options.
Add some crunch to your salad with nuts, seeds, or croutons.
Use a light dressing. A vinaigrette or lemon-tahini dressing is a good option.
Don't overcrowd your salad. You want each ingredient to have a chance to shine.

Conclusion:

Spinach pear salad is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make a spinach pear salad that will impress your friends and family.