Villa Sentieri

Pear, Celery and Arugula Salad with Lemon Dressing

Pears add a welcome freshness to this salad that is a perfect antidote to winter when so little really good fresh produce is available. This may be a lot of pear for some but the sweet juicy taste is a great contrast to the crunch of the celery and the peppery bite of the arugula.

CourseSalads, Slaws and Dressings
CuisineItalian

Servings	Prep Time
6people	15minutes

Servings	Prep Time
6people	15minutes

Ingredients

2 pears,ripe and juicy
3 stalks celery
5ounces baby arugula
2 1/2tablespoons lemon juicefreshly squeezed
5tablespoons olive oilextra virgin
18curls Pecorino Romano cheese
fine sea saltto taste
Freshly ground black pepperto taste

Instructions

Squeeze about half a fresh lemon to make 2 ½ tablespoons of juice. Allow the juice to sit, uncovered, at room temperature for about an hour before using it to dress the salad. The flavor of the juice will improve.
Remove the top of the celery stalks, the part where the center stalk gets much thinner and smaller stalks come off the sides. Reserve these pieces for another use. Cut the remaining celery stalks on a long diagonal to create thin long pieces.
Using a sharp knife or cheese paring knife, cut about 18 curls of Pecorino Romano cheese.
Peel the pears and cut into quarters lengthwise. Core the pears. Slice into thin wedges.
Combine the lemon juice and olive oil. Shake well to combine.
Toss the arugula and celery with about 2/3 of the lemon-olive oil dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss again.
Divide the arugula and celery onto six plates.
Toss the pears in the remaining lemon-olive oil dressing. Arrange the pear slices and Pecorino Romano cheese on top of the arugula. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes