Pear and Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese

Name: Pear and Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup walnuts; 2 ripe pears, sliced; 4 oz blue cheese, crumbled; 6 cups mixed greens; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; Salt and pepper to taste

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook:

🍽 Serves: 4

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This Pear and Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese is a delightful combination of textures and flavors that's perfect for the fall season. It's a simple yet elegant dish that makes a great starter or a light main course.

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Ingredients for Pear and Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese

Walnuts add a crunchy texture and a rich, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients wonderfully. Toasting them enhances their taste.

Pears bring a juicy sweetness that balances the strong flavors of the blue cheese. Choose ripe, but firm pears for the best texture.

Blue cheese provides a tangy, creamy element. It's the bold flavor that ties everything together. If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, feel free to substitute with goat cheese.

Mixed greens offer a fresh and crisp base for the salad. Use a mix like arugula, spinach, and romaine for varied textures and flavors.

Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard are combined to make a simple vinaigrette that lightly dresses the salad without overpowering it.

Tips & Tricks

To quickly core your pears, use a melon baller to scoop out the seeds.
If you're not serving the salad right away, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to prevent soggy greens.
For a more robust flavor, try using a smoked blue cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This salad pairs beautifully with a grilled protein like chicken or salmon, making it a complete meal. For a vegetarian option, serve alongside a hearty soup like butternut squash or tomato bisque.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?: Yes, you can prepare the components ahead, but keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve.
What can I use instead of blue cheese?: Feta or goat cheese are great alternatives if you're not a fan of blue cheese.

Pear and Walnut Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. While that's warming up, grab a baking sheet and spread out your walnuts. Once the oven's ready, pop them in for a quick 5-7 minutes. You're looking for a golden color and a fragrant, nutty aroma. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Next, while those walnuts are toasting, get started on your vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Season with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Now, for the main event, in a large salad bowl, combine your mixed greens. Add the sliced pears, those toasty walnuts, and the crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the top. Using clean hands or salad tongs, gently toss everything together so it's nicely coated.

And there you have it! Serve your salad immediately while the walnuts are still slightly warm for that extra touch of coziness.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Combines sweet, savory, and nutty flavors for a memorable taste.
Perfect for using up ripe pears in the autumn season.
Quick to prepare but fancy enough to impress guests.
Customizable to suit different tastes and dietary needs.

Ingredients

1/2 cup walnuts

2 ripe pears, sliced

4 oz blue cheese, crumbled

6 cups mixed greens

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and spread the walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast them for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the vinaigrette.

3. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, pear slices, toasted walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese.