Pear & Gorgonzola Salad
This Pear & Gorgonzola Salad is the kind of dish that feels fancy with sweet pears, sharp gorgonzola on a pile of peppery greens and the crunch of toasted walnuts in every forkful.
It’s an easy salad to whip up on a weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve at a dinner party or holiday gathering. Best of all, the whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes with no cooking required beyond toasting the nuts.
Helpful Tips
- Watch the walnuts closely: Toasting them over medium heat for just a few minutes brings out their flavor, but they can go from golden to burnt fast, so stir often and pull them the moment they smell nutty.
- Whisk the dressing well: Combining the olive oil, vinegar, honey, and Dijon thoroughly helps the dressing emulsify so it coats every leaf evenly instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
- Dress it gradually: Start with half the dressing and toss, then add more a little at a time so the greens stay lightly coated rather than soggy.
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Pear & Gorgonzola Salad
This Pear & Gorgonzola Salad is the kind of dish that feels fancy with sweet pears, sharp gorgonzola on a pile of peppery greens and the crunch of toasted walnuts in every forkful.
Ingredients
For the salad dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon honey or agave
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- squeeze of lemon juice
For the salad:
- 3 cups wild lettuce mix or arugula
- 1 pear diced
- 3 tablespoons gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbled
- 2 tablespoons walnuts chopped, lightly toasted
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries roughly chopped
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts in a pan with a small amount of oil over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- To make the salad dressing, add the olive oil, vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and oregano to a small mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients together until well combined. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the lettuce, pear, cheese, walnuts and cranberries to a large salad bowl.
- Top the salad with half the salad dressing. Mix gently to coat the lettuce. If the salad requires more dressing, add a little extra at a time until the desired dressing ratio is reached. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 73mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 411IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
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