Watercress Salad
This refreshing watercress salad pairs peppery greens with crisp apple, sweet pear, toasted almonds, and a creamy honey mustard dressing. A simple yet elegant side dish ready in under 20 minutes.
4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 3 cups fresh watercress rinsed and trimmed
- 1 green apple sliced into thin matchsticks
- 1 pear sliced into thin matchsticks
- ⅓ cup whole almonds
For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon freshly juiced
- 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Prepare the produce:
- Thoroughly wash and trim the watercress, ensuring that any coarse stems are removed. Thinly slice the apple and pear into matchstick-sized pieces. To prevent oxidation, place the sliced fruit into a bowl of ice water while preparing the remainder of the salad.
Toast the almonds:
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds for approximately 1 to 2 minutes, or until they develop a light golden color and a fragrant aroma. Remove from the heat immediately to prevent burning, and roughly chop the almonds once cooled.
Assemble the salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the prepared watercress, drained apple and pear slices, and chopped almonds. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Prepare the dressing:
- In a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and a pinch of salt. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified.
Dress and serve:
- Drizzle the dressing over the assembled salad and toss gently until the ingredients are evenly coated. Serve immediately for optimal freshness and texture.
Notes
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided all dressing ingredients are verified as such. Ensure that the mustard and mayonnaise used are certified gluten-free, as some commercially prepared condiments may contain trace gluten or cross-contaminants.