Butter Lettuce Salad with Maple Walnuts & Cheese
Easy Lettuce Salad Recipe: Butter lettuce, walnuts, and cheese; 3 Main Ingredients for a Sensational Mix of Flavors and Textures!
Fresh butter lettuce with crunchy maple walnuts, tangy Pecorino cheese, covered in a delightful, simple, and zesty dressing. You would definitely want to try this restaurant worthy salad as a healthy, refreshing side dish for your next family lunch or dinner.
This simple, quick, and impressive salad is made in a dash, yet it’s packed with exceptional flavors. A fresh green base with the lettuce leaves, crispy grated fennels and pears, sweet and crunchy walnut halves and a light zesty dressing to bring out the different flavors and textures of the dish.
This lettuce salad recipe is definitely worth adding to your weekly rotation. It’s simple, super quick, elegant looking and flavorful. What’s more? This recipe can make the base of endless salad combinations. Each time you make it, you can experiment by adding different components to cease the boredom and give way to excitement and TONS of flavors while making a simple salad dish.
Ingredients Needed:
lettuce leaves
Shaved Fennel
Shaved Pear
1 cup walnut halves
Grated Pecorino cheese
1/3 cup maple syrup
½ cup grape seed oil
½ cup pear juice
Fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
A pinch of salt (for the walnuts)
Another pinch of salt (for the dressing)
A pinch of Caster sugar
½ cup white wine vinegar
Instructions:
To prepare the walnuts, place in a non-stick skillet, add the maple syrup, a pinch of salt and stir for then put aside.
To prepare the dressing, squeeze 1 lemon in a large salad bowl, add grape seed oil, pear juice, white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and a pinch of caster sugar. Whisk to combine the ingredients.
To combine the salad, add the butter lettuce leaves to the same bowl (after washing and draining the leaves). Mix to cover the leaves with dressing.
Grate some shaved fennel and shaved pear to taste then mix again to combine well. Top the salad with the maple walnuts halves and some freshly grated Pecorino cheese.
Helpful Tips and Variations:
What should I use to replace Pecorino cheese? You can use some Parmesan, Feta, or blue cheese.
How can I substitute walnuts? For a similar taste and texture, you can use pecans, but feel free to toss hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, or any other nuts you prefer.
What’s a good replacement for Maple syrup? To caramelize the walnut halves, I like the sweet, woodsy taste of the Maple syrup with the light hints of caramel and vanilla flavors. It pairs well with the walnuts, but honey remains a good substitute.
How can I replace white wine vinegar? You can use a different vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, or you can simple use some lime or lemon juice.
Can I add mayo to the salad? I prefer to keep this recipe light and on the healthy side, but there’s no rules here, feel free to add your favorite mayo to the salad.
Other than pears, which fruit would taste well in this salad? You can add any fruits you prefer, I personally think that apples, figs and grapes pair extremely well with the salad.
What about other veggies? you can throw in any other veggies you prefer. You can add some corn, thinly sliced cucumbers or onions. For a nice contrast of colors, you can add in some sliced cherry tomatoes.
What about adding protein? I like to lay a sliced grilled chicken breast on top of the green leaves, or simply chop the chicken to small pieces and mix with the salad.
How can I keep leftovers? You can store any leftovers you’ve got for up to 5 days in the fridge. Just keep in mind that the leaves may become a bit soggy.
How can I serve this Lettuce Salad with Walnuts & Cheese?
You can serve this light butter lettuce salad as a side dish next to your favorite protein. You can also serve as a light meatless lunch or dinner if you want to keep things healthy. If you’re looking for a more filling and complete meal, you can make some modifications as suggested in the tips above, by adding different veggies or a protein of your choice.
When I’m craving carbs, I love to pair this recipe with a nice pasta dish or simply throw in some plain cooked pasta or croutons.
Butter Lettuce Salad with Maple Walnuts & Cheese
Ingredients
- lettuce leaves
- Shaved Fennel
- Shaved Pear
- 2 cups walnut halves
- Grated Pecorino cheese
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- ½ cup grape seed oil
- ½ cup pear juice
- Fresh lemon juice 1 lemon
- A pinch of salt for the walnuts
- Another pinch of salt for the dressing
- A pinch of Caster sugar
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
Instructions
- To prepare the walnuts, place in a non-stick skillet, add the maple syrup, a pinch of salt and stir for then put aside.
- To prepare the dressing, squeeze 1 lemon in a large salad bowl, add grape seed oil, pear juice, white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and a pinch of caster sugar. Whisk to combine the ingredients.
- To combine the salad, add the butter lettuce leaves to the same bowl (after washing and draining the leaves). Mix to cover the leaves with dressing.
- Grate some shaved fennel and shaved pear to taste then mix again to combine well. Top the salad with the maple walnuts halves and some freshly grated Pecorino cheese.
