Spinach, Pear and Toasted Pecan Salad with Boursin Cheese

This spinach salad with pears and candied pecans is my go-to, weeknight fall salad.  Made with sliced pears, toasted pecans, and Boursin cheese, this salad’s delicious combination creamy, crunchy, and sweet are why there are never leftovers.  It is that good!

This easy spinach salad can be made in  five minutes using staples I usually have on hand:

• Pre-washed baby spinach
• Maple cinnamon toasted pecans
• Sliced pears
• Boursin cheese
• Maple syrup
• Homemade creamy faux caesar salad dressing.

This recipe is not an advertisement for Boursin cheese, we just really like it in this salad.

Spinach, Pear and Toasted Pecan Salad with Boursin Cheese Recipe

*Note: Spinach and pears consistently test positive for pesticide residues, including organophosphate pesticides.  That is why I choose to buy organic or pesticide free versions at my grocery store.  Read more about pesticides and produce.

Tested and delicious substitutions:

• Goat cheese or any other mild and creamy soft cheese works well in place of Boursin cheese
• Baby arugula is an excellent substitution for baby spinach leaves

Teaching your children to eat salad

This spinach and pear salad can be served deconstructed with the ingredients separated for picky eaters (like my 3 year old). 

Research conducted at the Cornell Food and Brand Lab has shown that children have different preferences than adults for how food is served. 

When children like how food is presented, they are more likely to eat and enjoy it.  Read full article on plating food for kids: why deconstructed meals work.

Nutrition information (per serving, 4 servings):

• 295 calories
• 2 g added sugar
• 4.6 g fiber
• 3.5 g protein
• 200 mg sodium
• 24 g fat

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