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Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket Recipe

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4.1 from 72 reviews

A fresh and flavorful Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket, combining juicy ripe pears, toasted walnuts, and creamy blue cheese, all tossed in a tangy Dijon honey dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a sophisticated side dish.

  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 – 2 pears, any type, juicy and ripe (or nashi pears or sweet apples)
  • 3/4 cup walnuts, whole (substitute almonds or pecans if desired)
  • 120g / 4 oz rocket (arugula) lettuce
  • 120g / 4 oz blue cheese (roquefort, gorgonzola, stilton or other good creamy but crumbly blue cheese)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: Combine the Dijon mustard, honey, cider vinegar, vegetable or olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a jar. Close the lid tightly and shake well until all ingredients are fully blended into a smooth dressing.
  2. Prepare the Pears: Halve the pears and scoop out the core. Place the cut faces down and slice each pear into thin slices about 3mm (0.12 inches) thick to ensure even freshness and texture throughout the salad.
  3. Toast the Walnuts: Spread whole walnuts evenly on a baking tray and toast them in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 8 minutes or until they emit a nutty aroma. Allow cooling slightly, then keep some walnuts whole and break some into halves by hand for variety in texture.
  4. Dress the Rocket: Place the rocket leaves in a large bowl and toss them gently with 2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing so the leaves are lightly coated and flavorful.
  5. Assemble the Salad: On a large platter, pile one-third of the dressed rocket. Scatter one-third of the sliced pears, toasted walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese over the rocket. Repeat this layering process two more times to evenly distribute all the ingredients. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the entire salad just before serving for a fresh and vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Note 1: Choose a creamy blue cheese that crumbles easily for the best texture contrast in the salad.
  • Note 2: Using ripe and juicy pears is important to balance the strong flavors of the blue cheese and the tangy dressing.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: International
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/pear-salad-with-blue-cheese-and-rocket-recipe/