Pear and Goat Cheese Salad & Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Creamy Tarragon Pear and Goat Cheese Salad

Let’s make a Delicious Pear and Goat Cheese Salad Recipe with Creamy Tarragon Dressing.

Preparing the Pear

First, we slice one pear into uniform pieces. You can do this by hand, but today I’m using a really fun device. It’s the Kitchenaid Spiralizer Attachment. It attaches to any kitchenaid stand mixer and it spiralizes produce as well as creating perfectly uniform slices. I recently did a review and tutorial on this spiralizer, which you can view here: KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment Review.

Let’s use the large core slicing blade to create uniform slices. You will be left with beautiful wide spirals, like an accordion. If you stack them, then slice down the middle, you will be left with beautiful, perfectly uniform half slices of pear.

To avoid browning, you’ll want to put these pear slices directly into a solution of cold water and 1-2 tbsp of lemon juice. Let it soak completely for 5 minutes.

Then remove the slices and dry them completely. We will cut our large pear spirals right down the middle to create perfectly uniform pear slices. 

Preparing the Tarragon Salad Dressing

While we wait for the pear slices to dry, let’s make our homemade Creamy Tarragon Salad Dressing. You can make this recipe with a high powered blender and a food processor, but today I’m using my KitchenAid Hand Blender and Accessories Kit, which is a high powered blender and chopping attachment all-in-one.

I recently did a comprehensive review of this device, which you can view here: KitchenAid Hand Blender and Accessories Kit Review.

Note: this Creamy Tarragon Dressing recipe makes 4 servings of dressing.

Blender Arm Accessory

In the blender pitcher (which comes with the kit), combine 1 cup greek yogurt, 1 tbsp avocado oil mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, roughly 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp ground pepper.

The blender pitcher has a two part lid. When combined, it forms an airtight seal. When you remove the center section, it becomes a splash guard while blending in it. We will keep just the splash guard portion of the lid while blending. 

We’ll use the blending arm attachment and connect it with the motor body with one easy twist. This creates an immersion blender and will make the base of our dressing perfectly pureed.

Keep the blender arm at the bottom of the pitcher and activate the blender by pressing the variable speed controller lightly at first and then giving it more power. Hold the blender there until the mixture comes together. Then pull it up a little bit and move it gently down and up. Release the variable speed controller when it is done. This whole process will only take a minute or two. 

Chopper Accessory

Next, we are going to use the chopper accessory for the other ingredients. For best results, cut the food items into 3/4″ pieces.

Let’s add one shallot, one clove of garlic, and 4 tsp of dried tarragon spice. (Note: you can also substitute 4 tbsp of fresh tarragon if you have that available at your local grocery store). 

Secure the chopper lid by twisting to lock. Align the Chopper attachment with the Motor body and press together. Do not twist the Motor body into place. Press the variable speed controller to start chopping. You will do this in several short bursts until you reach your desired consistency. When done, remove and unplug the motor body, set it safely to the side. Twist the lid in the opposite direction to unlock. Carefully remove the blade and set it safely to the side.

Combine in Blender Pitcher

Now use a silicone spatula to remove all the contents of the chopper bowl and transfer them to the blender pitcher. Gently mix them together. And your salad dressing is ready.

Preparing the Pear and Goat Cheese Salad

Now we can assemble our Pear and Goat Cheese Salad. There are two ways you can do this. One is for meal prep. The other is for premium presentation. Let’s do the meal prep first.

Pear and Goat Cheese Salad | Meal Prep

Instead of making it in a large bowl, I will use 4 smaller, covered airtight containers. Then divide the following ingredients equally into each container: 12 cups spring mix greens, 1/2 chopped red onion, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1 sliced pear, 8 oz goat cheese.

So per salad, that’s roughly 3 cups of spring mix greens, 1/8 chopped red onion, 1/8 chopped walnuts, and 2 oz of goat cheese.

Now cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to add the salad dressing to each of them. When ready, take a salad out, then add 1/4 of the salad dressing to the Pear and Goat Cheese Salad. Mix it well so the dressing is incorporated, and then enjoy.

Pear and Goat Cheese Salad | Premium Presentation

For premium presentation, add your mixed greens into a colorful medium sized bowl, if you have one available. I am using a bright, yellow bowl. The reason we use a colorful bowl is because the salad itself has very few pops of color. So having a colorful bowl makes it feel more cheerful and elevated. This presentation will be for an individual serving.

Now pour the dressing and delicately toss the salad. Next, you wipe the sides of the bowl down, to minimize the mess.

Then add only 4 pear slices so that the greens pop through. Then add some walnuts, red onion, and closer to 1 oz of goat cheese. You don’t want to overcrowd the bowl with ingredients. Be sparing as we want to see each ingredient clearly. Pull some of the greens out so they can be seen. And voila, you now have a pear and goat cheese salad that’s ready to serve at your next dinner party. 

How Does It Taste?

It looks beautiful, but how does it taste? It is absolutely delicious. When I first tried it, I think the word I used to describe it was stupendous (which is truly not a word I use often!). The dressing is perfectly paired with the salad, making a delicious, healthy meal.

I hope you enjoy this refreshing salad as much as I do. I’ll see you on the next one!