Pear, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing

Salad with Greens, Pear, Walnuts, and Gorgonzola Cheese in White Salad Bowl

Pear, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing

Pears and a Gorgonzola Cheese are wonderful together, we like to combine them in this fresh salad with walnuts and a maple/dijon dressing. Fantastic!

Course Appetizer, Beans and Lentils, pear, Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword gorgonzola, pear, salad, walnut

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 555kcal

Ingredients

For the Maple Candied Walnuts or Pecans

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
pepper to taste
½ cup pecan or walnut halves

For Maple Dijon Vinaigrette (See Notes for Champagne Vinaigrette Ingredients)

¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp garlic minced
pepper to taste

For the Salad

Mesclun greens 4-6 cups
2 pears chopped (toss with some lemon juice to keep them from discoloring if necessary)
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion rings halved
⅔ cup Maple Candied Walnuts or Pecans in a pinch or watching sugar intake, just toast some nuts, roughly chopped
⅓ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Pear slices for garnish

Instructions

To Make Candied Walnuts

Melt the butter in a pan
Mix in the maple syrup and pepper
Add the walnuts and toss to coat
Cook on medium low heat about 15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn.
Turn out on aluminum foil and let cool for 5 minutes; break apart if necessary.

To Make Either Dressing:

Mix all ingredients in bowl using wire whisk.

To Plate the Salad:

Place greens on individual plates. Top with pears, slices of red onion and spinkle nuts and cheese on top.
Garnish with pear slices and drizzle dressing over salad.

Notes

My daughter worked for Nordstrom's for a couple of years in the Visual Merchandising Department after college. She asked and was given the recipe for the Champagne Vinaigrette so I've included that for you too if you're so inclined to make it at home! Use these ingredients and mix as indicated above.

1 Tablespoon shallots, chopped
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup Champagne wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups salad oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Nutrition