Asian Pear Salad With Peanut-Lime Dressing

This bright crunchy salad is a perfect counterpoint to some of the richer dishes on the Thanksgiving table. A zingy and creamy lime and peanut butter based dressing enrobes thinly sliced cauliflower and Asian Pears which creates a salad that’s both hearty yet light. Asian Pears are crisp and pale in color and have a sweet yet tart flavor with lovely floral notes---growing up they were always a treat (and instantly recognizable by their little foam mesh sweaters) and could only be found in Chinatown, but now are more readily available. If you can’t find them, Bosc pears are a good substitute.

Find this recipe on Bon Appétit.

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Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

Peanuts
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
1 tsp five-spice powder
½ tsp Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt
½ tsp sugar
½ cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

Dressing and Assembly
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup grapeseed oil or vegetable oil
⅓ cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
Kosher salt
1 large head of cauliflower (about 2½ lb)
1 large Asian pear, thinly sliced
2 cups arugula
1 cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems

METHOD

Make the peanuts. Melt butter with orange juice, five-spice powder, salt, and sugar in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add peanuts and cook, stirring, until peanuts darken and orange juice mixture reduces to a glaze, 5–7 minutes. Scrape peanuts onto a plate; let cool.

Do Ahead: Peanuts can be prepared 3 days ahead. Let cool; store airtight at room temperature.

Make the salad. Whisk peanut butter, oil, lime juice, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar in a large bowl until smooth. Season dressing with salt.

Cut cauliflower into quarters through stem; trim core. Thinly slice on a mandoline or with a sharp knife; coarsely chop any stray florets. Add cauliflower, Asian pear, arugula, cilantro, and half of peanuts to dressing and toss to coat.

Divide salad among plates or arrange on a platter and top with remaining peanuts.