Lifestyle

Green Salad With Pralines & Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

Spicy pecans baked with honey, maple syrup and cayenne pepper take this salad to the next level.

A chef's hand spooning honey vinaigrette dressing over a bowl of salad

Everyone has their “go-to” favourite salad recipe, and we suspect this will soon be yours. Juicy pears, greens and goat cheese get a flavour infusion thanks to a piquant honey-Dijon dressing and spicy pecans. Perfect for spring, fall or any season, this easy green salad recipe can be made with spring mix or romaine, spinach or butter lettuce. Make it for dinner tonight or bring it to any potluck, brunch or holiday celebration. Created by Gary McBlain, Amica’s National Director of Culinary Services, this recipe also celebrates our partnership with Alvéole, an urban beekeeping company that has installed honey-bee hives at seven Amica residences. Be sure to try our other honey recipes, too!

Makes: 4 portions

Salad Ingredients

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Spicy Pralines Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecans
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • Pinch cinnamon 
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 cup cubed pears
  • 1 cup goat cheese
  • 8 cups assorted mixed greens

Instructions

  1. For the dressing: combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a whisk until smooth. Alternatively, put them into a mason jar and shake until smooth. 

  2. For spicy pralines: heat the honey, maple syrup, and butter in a microwave until melted. Pour honey mixture over the pecans and add cayenne, cinnamon and salt. Place coated pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

  3. For the salad: use your choice of spring mix or romaine, spinach or butter lettuce. Toss the greens and diced pears with the dressing and then garnish the salad servings with crumbled goat cheese and spicy pralines.