Name: Autumn Pear Salad with Figs & Ginger Molasses Vinaigrette
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 5 oz mixed greens (washed, stems removed); 2 green d'anjou pears (sliced thinly); 1/2 C figs (dried or fresh) (sliced); 1/2 C dried cranberries; 1/2 C shredded carrots; 1/2 C bacon pieces; 1/2 C chopped walnuts; 1/4 C pumpkin seeds without hulls (pepitas) (toasted); 1/4 C bleu cheese crumbles; 1/3 C olive oil; 1/4 C apple cider vinegar; 2 Tbsp molasses; 1 Tbsp coarse ground mustard; 1/2 tsp minced garlic; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp ground black pepper; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Enjoy fall like you mean it this year! Pull out all the stops with this gorgeous Autumn Pear Salad with Figs & Ginger Molasses Vinaigrette. I am not a cool weather girl, but one of the things I love about fall is the rich, earthy flavors that come to life in its foods. And there is nothing but forkful after forkful of flavor in this fall fest. Dark greens, crisp pears, rich figs, dried cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds, bacon, walnuts and cool bleu cheese make this more than salad. It’s near autumn perfection. It can stand on its own as meal with warm, thick-crusted bread or serve as the perfect side to that bowl of soup, pork tenderloin or turkey. Need a fabulous dish for your get-together. Look no further. Seasonal eating doesn’t get any better than this.

What You Need to Make this Autumn Pear Salad & Vinaigrette

Mixed Greens
Pears
Figs
Dried Cranberries
Carrots
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Bacon Pieces
Walnuts
Apple Cider Vinegar
Olive Oil
Molasses
Ginger
Coarse Grain Dijon Mustard
Garlic, Salt, Pepper

During the busy week, this is one of those salads that The Engineer and I can eat as a meal. I might swing by the grocery and pick up a rotisserie chicken and a loaf of crusty bread, and in just 15 minutes or so we get to feel so fancy without a lot of work. And why not? Just because it’s a quick weeknight meal, it doesn’t have to feel like it. Even a Tuesday needs to be special now and then.

I get all the ingredients out and slice the pears while he warms the breads and toasts the pumpkin seeds. We use the pumpkin seeds without hulls called pepitas for this salad. They are easy to toast. Just toss in a little olive oil, spread into a single layer on a baking sheet, and they are golden brown in just a little more than 10 minutes. Time enough to get the table set and the salad tossed.

And don’t forget the vinaigrette. It also comes together in just minutes while those pepitas are toasting with loads of fall flavors and just a little kick to keep things spicy around here. Molasses, ginger, garlic and sprinkle of red pepper flakes marry with olive oil and apple cider vinegar to create a vinaigrette that is lighter than you might think while adding a whole other layer of tangy richness to this Autumn Pear Salad.

There are a lot of ways to enjoy fall, but none quite beat a celebration of the season like this. Gorgeous, rich flavors. Just a little fancy. But oh, so easy.

Seasonal Accessories to Serve This Salad & Make Your Table Fall Ready