I have a special fondness for incorporating asparagus into salads, particularly when I can balance its bright, earthy flavor with something sweet. This time, I’ve chosen the Williams pear, renowned for its succulence and sweetness, which I picked up from my local market. In this recipe, these delightful pears mingle with tender fried asparagus, creamy stracciatella cheese, and crunchy walnuts, creating a salad that’s not only a joy to look at but a pleasure to eat.

Why Will You Love this Recipe?

Sweet and Savory Harmony: This salad masterfully blends the sweet juiciness of Williams pears with the savory, earthy tones of fried asparagus. This combination of flavors creates a delightful contrast that tantalizes the taste buds and makes each bite exciting.
Healthy Yet Delicious: Not only is this dish bursting with flavor, but it’s also good for you. Packed with nutrients from fresh greens, fiber-rich pears, and heart-healthy walnuts, all topped with the creamy indulgence of stracciatella cheese, it’s a meal that satisfies your cravings without compromising on health.

Recipe Variations

Include Crispy Pancetta: For an added savory crunch, toss in some crispy pancetta. Simply fry pancetta pieces in a pan until they’re golden and crisp before adding them to the salad. This salty, crispy addition pairs wonderfully with the creamy cheese and sweet pear, enhancing the salad’s depth of flavor.
Add Parmigiano: Sprinkle some freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano over the salad for a nutty, salty finish.

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Stracciatella Salad with Walnuts

Author: Laura Bais

Savor the delightful blend of crisp fried asparagus, sweet Williams pear, and creamy stracciatella cheese in this salad, finished with crunchy walnuts and a drizzle of olive oil for a dish that's as nutritious as it is delicious.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Total Time 9

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings servings

Calories 270.5 kcal

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil (for frying asparagus)
3 asparagus
½ cup arugula
3 tbsp stracciatella cheese
1 Williams pear
2 tbsp walnuts
½ tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

Trim the tough ends off the asparagus stalks. Cut them into 4-5 pieces.
Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the asparagus and fry until tender and slightly browned, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take about 4 minutes.
Wash the Williams pear and slice it thinly. You can choose to peel the pear if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds color and texture.
Wash and drain the arugula.
On a serving plate, spread the arugula as a base.
Arrange the fried asparagus and pear slices over the arugula.
Dollop stracciatella cheese over the salad.
Sprinkle walnuts on top for a crunchy, nutty finish.
Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the salad. Optionally, you can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice for a touch of acidity.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 270.5kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 6.3gFat: 22.8gSaturated Fat: 5.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 8.6gCholesterol: 15.8mgSodium: 3.1mgPotassium: 214.4mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9.5gVitamin A: 479.6IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 149.2mgIron: 1.1mg

Keyword arugula and asparagus, fresh stracciatella, italian salad, stracciatella cheese, stracciatella di bufala, stracciatella salad

Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.