Winter Spinach, Pear, & Pecan Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing
Megan
Your family will love salads and ask for it over and over if you make them this Winter Spinach, Pear, & Pecan Salad with a Honey Poppy Seed Dressing.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 22 minutes mins
Total Time 42 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine Gluten Free, Healthy
Honey Roasted Pecans
- 2 cups halved pecans
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sugar + 2 more tablespoons for dusting later
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Honey Poppy Seed Dressing
- 2/3 cup whole plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 5 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 4 teaspoons poppy seeds
Salad
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 1 fresh pear thinly sliced
- 1 avocado peeled/cored and cut into cubes
- 1 cup honey roasted pecans
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Honey Roasted Pecans
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place parchment paper on baking sheet and evenly place pecans on parchment paper.
Toast pecans in oven for 10 minutes.
While pecans are in the oven, add honey and 2 tablespoons sugar to small saucepan and bring to boil (use medium-low to medium heat). After mixture bubbles for 2 minutes, remove from heat and set aside.
Once pecans are done toasting in the oven, place them in a medium bowl and mix with honey and sugar mixture until they are all coated.
Place coated pecans back on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 more minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Add 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and cinnamon to a medium bowl and stir. Break up any pecan clumps and mix them in the salt, sugar, and cinnamon and toss until coated.
Honey Poppy Seed Dressing
Add greek yogurt, coconut milk, honey, and cider vinegar to a food processor and pulse until mixture is smooth and combined. Transfer mixture to a mason jar or bowl and stir in the poppy seeds. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Salad
In a large bowl, add the spinach, sliced pear, cubed avocado, pecans, and dried cranberries and toss together. Top with feta cheese. Add dressing just before serving.
For best results, store prepared salad without dressing on it. Also add avocado just prior to serving as well.
May prepare salad without the avocado and dressing on it up to a couple hours prior to serving.