Sweet pear, salty feta and toasted walnuts are a natural match for a honey vinaigrette. Jarrah honey can add a distinctive Australian note, but another good-quality honey can be used if Jarrah is not available.
Estimated serves: 4 as a side Estimated preparation: 20 minutes
Recipe overview
This pear walnut feta salad combines sweet pear, salty feta, walnuts and a honey dressing. Jarrah is the featured honey, giving the pear feta salad an Australian honey angle without turning the ingredient choice into a health claim. The dressing is the main bridge between the fruit and cheese, and the salad can still work with another honey if Jarrah is unavailable.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 firm ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 100 g mixed salad leaves or rocket
- 100 g feta, crumbled
- 60 g walnuts, lightly toasted
- 1 small cucumber, sliced, optional
Jarrah honey dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic or red-wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Jarrah honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch of salt
- Black pepper
Method
- Whisk the dressing ingredients until emulsified.
- Arrange the leaves, pear, cucumber, feta and walnuts on a platter.
- Spoon over enough dressing to lightly coat the salad just before serving.
- Finish with black pepper.
Why Jarrah honey?
Jarrah is a Western Australian floral-source honey with its own character. This recipe uses it for flavour, not as a health claim. Read What Does Jarrah Honey Taste Like? for pairing ideas and Jarrah Honey Recipes for more ways to use it.
Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate it in a sealed jar and shake well before serving. Bring it closer to room temperature if the honey thickens in the fridge.
Can I use another honey?
Yes. A medium-flavoured honey is a good substitute. The salad will simply have a different flavour profile.
What if I cannot buy Jarrah honey?
Use another honey rather than substituting an unverified product simply because it uses “Jarrah” in marketing. Australian Honey Company should only link this recipe to a Jarrah shopping page when that product route and provenance are verified.
Can I make it vegan?
Honey is not generally considered vegan, and feta is dairy. You could make a plant-based salad using a vegan cheese alternative and a different sweetener, but it would no longer be this honey recipe.
For another dressing option, see Honey Balsamic Dressing and our honey and cheese pairing guide.
Allergen note: contains milk and tree nuts; mustard may be present in the dressing.
Recipe note: This recipe has been developed for home cooking but has not yet been independently kitchen-tested by Australian Honey Company. Results may vary with ingredients, equipment and cooking conditions.