Description
A refreshing and crisp celery, pear, and date salad that combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with a delightful crunch from pistachios and a touch of creamy Manchego cheese. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 stalks celery, thinly sliced on the bias
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced with a mandolin (optional)
- 1 ripe Bosc pear, halved and thinly sliced
- 6 Medjool dates, pitted, halved, and each half sliced into thirds
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 to 3 ounces thinly shaved sheep’s milk or Manchego cheese
- 1/3 cup pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped
- Flaky salt, for serving
- Freshly cracked pepper, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the produce: Thinly slice the celery stalks on the bias and if using, thinly slice the fennel bulb with a mandolin. Halve the ripe Bosc pear and slice it thinly.
- Prepare the dates: Pit the Medjool dates, halve them, and then slice each half into thirds to create bite-sized pieces.
- Combine main ingredients: On a large serving platter, arrange and toss the celery, fennel (if using), pear, and dates together evenly.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil and the lemon juice over the composed ingredients. Toss gently to coat all ingredients.
- Garnish and finish: Shave the sheep’s milk or Manchego cheese thinly over the top of the salad. Sprinkle with the toasted and chopped pistachios, lemon zest, flaky salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Notes
- If fennel is not available or preferred, it can be omitted without significantly altering the salad’s flavor.
- For a vegan version, omit the cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Ensure the pears are ripe but firm to maintain texture in the salad.
- Use flaky salt to enhance texture and flavor; regular table salt may be too fine.
- Serve immediately after dressing to maintain freshness and crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook, Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
