Blue Cheese & Pear Salad

Carol Food

Blue Cheese & Pear is a perfect salad for autumn and the holidays. It includes fresh greens, avocado, dried cranberries, chopped pears, caramelized pecans, and crumbles of blue cheese. The tangy mustard vinaigrette perfectly compliments the creaminess of the blue cheese. You can also use walnuts and tart apples in place of pecans and pears with good results. It’s a perfect side for special occasions but simple to make for everyday meals.

Blue Cheese & Pear Salad

Use organic when available. Serves 6

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Blue Cheese & Pear Salad

A salad perfect for all fall and holiday occasions with a complex mix of flavors including salad greens, caramelized pecans, pear, blue cheese, dried cranberries, with a tangy mustard vinaigrette.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword autumn salad, blue cheese pear salad, fall salad, holiday salad, pear salad
Servings 6

Ingredients

Caramelized Pecans

  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 tbsp water

Mustard Vinaigrette

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • black pepper to taste

Salad

  • 1 head green leaf lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 medium pears – peeled, cored and chopped
  • 5 oz blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1 medium avocado – peeled, pitted, and diced
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • handful of dried cranberries

Instructions

Carmelized Pecans

  • Mix pecans, sugar, and water in a pan over medium heat
  • Cook stirring gently, until sugar has melted and pecans are caramelized, 5 to 7 minutes
  • Place pecans on a sheet lined with parchment paper to cool

Mustard Vinaigrette

  • Place oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a bowl to whisk or in mason jar with lid to shake

Salad

  • Layer or toss lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, pecans, cranberries, and green onions in a large serving bowl
  • Optional place on individual salad plates
  • Pour dressing over top
  • Serve immediately

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Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

10 thoughts to “Blue Cheese & Pear Salad”

  1. It does sound like a wonderful rich tasting salad which would be great for Thanksgiving too. Blue cheese and pear is a great combo. Thanks.

    Reply

  9. Wow, what a lovely combination of ingredients. I’ve never tried something like this! Thank you for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #48 linkup this week. We hope you’ll share more at #49–it opens Monday. 🙂

    Reply

  10. Pears and blue cheese…that is an interesting combination. But it looks delish and I’ll bet it’s very good. Thanks for sharing at #aclwcc.

    Reply

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