Radicchio Salad with Pears

Name: Radicchio Salad with Pears
Ingredients: 1 head radicchio, torn into bite-sized pieces; 1 head butter lettuce OR 60g baby arugula/mizuna; 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced; 1 shallot, thinly sliced; 20g toasted almonds or pine nuts; 30g goat cheese crumbles (optional; feta or gorgonzola work too); 1 handful fresh mint leaves; 2 tbsp white wine vinegar; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp orange zest; 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 120ml olive oil

By admin 2/28/2026

Radicchio is a bitter green that's a member of the chicory family with striking purple leaves. The recipe balances this bitterness with sweet pears, creamy goat cheese, and bright citrus. Bitter vegetables like Brussels sprouts have a sweeter flavor profile when cooked, though this salad showcases radicchio raw.

Ingredients

Scale:

Units:

1 head radicchio, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 head butter lettuce OR 60g baby arugula/mizuna
1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
20g toasted almonds or pine nuts
30g goat cheese crumbles (optional; feta or gorgonzola work too)
1 handful fresh mint leaves
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp orange zest
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1/4 tsp kosher salt
120ml olive oil

Instructions

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, orange zest, honey, and salt. Gradually whisk in olive oil until creamy. Refrigerate; bring to room temperature before serving.
Toast the almonds.
Prepare radicchio, lettuce, pear, and shallot as noted.
Arrange radicchio and greens on a platter or plates. Top with pear slices, shallot, toasted nuts, cheese, and mint. Drizzle with orange dressing and serve.