Description
- An amazing Caramelized Pear and Blue Cheese Salad: a sophisticated blend of warm, sweet caramelized pears, creamy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts on fresh greens with a zesty balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 ripe pears
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice the Pears: Cut the pears into thin wedges.
- Caramelize: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add the pear slices and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and caramelized. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Greens: Place the mixed greens in a large bowl.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the caramelized pears, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped walnuts to the greens.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently.
- Serve: Serve immediately, while the pears are still slightly warm.
Notes
- Pear Ripeness: Use ripe but firm pears (like Bosc or Anjou). If they are too soft, they will turn to mush when caramelized.
- Caramelization: Watch the pears closely; the sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly.
- Blue Cheese: For a milder flavor, use a less pungent blue cheese. For a stronger flavor, opt for a Stilton or Gorgonzola.
- Dressing Flavor: Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad. Adjust honey or Dijon mustard (if using) for a sweeter, sharper taste.
- Serving Warm: Serving the salad immediately while the pears are still warm is key to softening the blue cheese and melding the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: Sautéing, Tossing, Whisking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~600–700 g total
- Calories: ~1000–1100 kcal
- Sugar: ~45 g
- Sodium: ~700 mg
- Fat: ~75 g
- Saturated Fat: ~20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~55 g
- Trans Fat: ~0–0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: ~75 g
- Fiber: ~7 g
- Protein: ~12 g
- Cholesterol: ~40 mg
Keywords: Pear Salad, Blue Cheese Salad, Caramelized Pear, Sweet Savory Salad, Walnut Salad, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Gourmet Salad, Easy Salad, Appetizer Salad, Vegetarian