Let’s begin with a confession: I made this salad with pecans first, because pecans are what I had.  That’s the nice thing about food – you can make it what you want, with what you have.  So pecans are the pretty nuts you see in these photos.  But the truth?  Walnuts are yummier in this blackberry brie spinach salad.  You use what you have, and let me know what you decide!

Having said that… Salads are one of my favorite dishes to serve when friends come to visit. Somehow, they can be both pretty and unpretentious.

Salads are simple and un-fussy, but they can be artfully curated to feel like a gift.  

This blackberry, brie and pear salad has walnuts, spinach, and a simple but luscious balsamic dressing, and I think it would work pretty much all year round, if you can get the fresh blackberries!

If you’re serving this salad for a bigger crowd, I recommend making it in advance, but leave off the brie and blackberries as well as, of course, the dressing, until right before serving. Leaving the dressing on the side in a pretty pitcher gives guests a chance to decide for themselves how to dress it.

Since spinach is a fairly “soft” green, it pairs well with the crunch of the pears, the nuts, and the tart “pop” of the blackberries.  There’s such a great variety of textures and mix of sweet, sour, and salty, all in one bowl.

I think this would make a perfect side salad to a juicy roasted chicken, seasoned with lemon and garlic.  It would also be delicious with a crusty steak and a baked sweet potato.

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Blackberry Brie & Pear Spinach Salad

Prep Time

5 mins

 

A spinach salad made with blackberries, brie and pears, perfect for a side or a light main dish.

Servings: 4

Author: Angela at Everyday Welcome

Ingredients

• 1 8- oz pkg washed fresh spinach
• 1/2 wheel brie
• 1/2 cup walnuts roughly chopped
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1 pear sliced thinly

Dressing

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon herbs de provence
• 1 teaspoon grainy mustard
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Layer ingredients into serving dish in the order listed.
2. Mix dressing ingredients well and drizzle over salad just before serving.

Recipe Notes

Try adding chicken, bacon, or prosciutto to make this a more hearty main dish.

Want to make this a more hearty meal? It would be delicious with a crispy-edge, runny fried egg, or some sliced roast turkey or grilled chicken breast. Try swapping the brie for a blue cheese and toasting the walnuts with a bit of honey. The recipe is super flexible!  

Don’t you want to make this now, and maybe invite a friend to share?

Do you have a favorite salad recipe that you love to enjoy just for you, or to share with friends?

Another favorite for me is (really year-round) my Summer Chicken and Apple Salad.  

Inspiring welcome, Angela