
Sweet, salty, subtly spicy and slightly zesty, this pear and prosciutto salad is absolutely outstanding! Delicate slices of fruit and meat are resting over a bed of fresh greens tossed with honey mustard dressing and garnished with roasted almonds. With just a handful of ingredients, it is super simple to put together and makes a spectacular appetizer or a light and balanced lunch or snack.
The Flavour Affair:
Pears + Prosciutto + Mixed Greens + Honey + Mustard + Lemon + Almonds
This combination is another example of how only a few ingredients can create a perfectly rounded flavour. The trick is to curate a selection where individual elements complement each other while providing for all major taste components. Add a little variety of textures, and your ideal salad is ready! Let’s take a closer look:
Pears: conference pears are best here. They are sweet, juicy and don’t have astringency which would interfere with the delicate nature of this salad.
Salty prosciutto is an awesome companion for the pears. In my humble opinion, this combo works even better than the classic melon & parma ham. I think it has to do with the pears’ texture – soft and melting, they complement the prosciutto without creating too much contrast. In turn, this transforms into a more intricate, elegant flavour.
Greens: using a mix of bitter, spicy and mild greens is an easy way to bring in more taste components. Fresh peppery arugula, sweet-ish romaine lettuce and a few more bitter leaves like radicchio or chicory create a great base.
Dressing is very important for salads as it helps accentuate primary flavours and add any missing elements. For this plate, a combination of honey, mustard, lemon and olive oil is just perfect. Honey supports the sweet character of the dish while mustard and lemon add heat and sourness respectively. Olive oil emulsifies the dressing and contributes with subtle floral notes and healthy fats.
To finish off, scatter over a few roasted almonds. They instantly elevate the salad with their crunchy texture and nutty, smoky notes.
Preparation tips for Pear and Prosciutto Salad:
- For a pretty presentation, cut pears lengthwise and slice vertically. Arrange each sliced half over the bed of greens.
- Slice prosciutto very thinly: this type of ham (you can use citterio, parma or alike) has a prominent, intense taste that can easily overpower the salad.
- Use a mix of greens that has arugula in it or add it separately – arugula’s peppery spiciness adds a nice vibrancy to the salad.
- Toss the greens with about 2/3 or the dressing and drizzle the remaining over the assembled salad.
- I like to finish it off with a grind of black pepper mill for a touch of pungent warmth.
Serving suggestions:
This salad is so easy to put together that I regularly use it as an after school snack for the children or my own light lunch. That said, it also makes a fabulous appearance as a starter and has wowed many of our guests! I like serving it alongside beef carpaccio and eggplant parmigiana followed by a festive pasta dish for an Italian-themed feast.
For more inspiration for delicious, balanced and great looking appetizers, check out these tried and tested recipes:
Butternut Carpaccio with Apple Glaze
Sourdough Toast with Grilled Nectarine and Burrata
Pears and Gorgonzola Puff Pastry Tart
***

Pear and Prosciutto Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 conference pears cut lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 100 g aged prosciutto very thinly sliced
- 2 cups mixed rocket and baby arugula leaves
- 2 cups other salad greens
- 1 tbsp slivered roasted almonds
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp raw honey
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the greens and let dry.
- Make the dressing: mix together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard and honey, taste and adjust to perfection.
- Toss the greens with 2/3 of the dressing.
- Arrange on the plate and top with sliced the pears and prosciutto.
- Scatter over the almonds and drizzle with the remaining dressing.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper and serve.
Notes
- This salad is best consumed freshly made.
- You can try it with other seasonal fruits – for instance, the version with persimmons is amazing. Figs, nectarines or even grapes can also work very well.














35 Responses
Thanks for another wonderful post. Where else could anybody get that type of info in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such excellent info being shared freely out there.
Wonderful website. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a great web site.
Hi there, I found your web site via Google while looking for a related topic, your site came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Some genuinely nice and useful info on this internet site, likewise I conceive the pattern holds wonderful features.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
I have been reading out a few of your articles and i must say nice stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
It is really a nice and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
You are my aspiration, I have few blogs and rarely run out from to post .
You are my aspiration, I own few blogs and often run out from post :). “Never mistake motion for action.” by Ernest Hemingway.
A formidable share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit analysis on this. And he in truth bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading extra on this topic. If possible, as you change into expertise, would you mind updating your weblog with more particulars? It is extremely useful for me. Massive thumb up for this weblog publish!
You are my breathing in, I have few web logs and rarely run out from brand :). “Actions lie louder than words.” by Carolyn Wells.
I’m no longer certain the place you’re getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time learning much more or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
You completed a few good points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found nearly all persons will have the same opinion with your blog.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
As soon as I discovered this site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners wrote but this site is very user genial! .
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your website is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What an ideal web site.
Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
I have recently started a blog, the info you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..
Absolutely composed written content, Really enjoyed reading through.
I’m still learning from you, as I’m trying to achieve my goals. I certainly love reading everything that is written on your blog.Keep the stories coming. I loved it!
After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Hey very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find a lot of useful info here in the post, we need work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I beloved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The caricature is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. in poor health surely come further earlier once more since exactly the similar just about very continuously inside case you protect this increase.
I conceive you have observed some very interesting details, thanks for the post.
I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
binggoplus is an alternate spelling keyword often used to search for Bingo Plus–related content and platforms.