Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket
User Reviews
5
Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket
Description
This salad is assembled by first tossing rocket with a honey mustard dressing made from Dijon mustard, honey, cider vinegar, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Pears are sliced into firm but flexible slices after halving and coring, providing a subtle sweet contrast. Toasted walnuts add nuttiness and crunch. The salad layers rocket, pears, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese in thirds to evenly distribute flavors and textures throughout.
The use of creamy yet crumbly blue cheese varieties like Roquefort or Gorgonzola adds a sharp, tangy element, while the dressing enhances the balance between sweet and savory. Toasting the walnuts brings out a nutty aroma and flavor.
If not serving immediately, lightly coat pear slices with lemon juice to prevent browning. Adjust pear quantity to suit preference for fruit prominence in the salad.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 - 2 pear any type, juicy and ripe (or nashi pears or sweet apples
- 3/4 cup walnuts , whole (sub almonds, pecans)
- 120g / 4oz arugula aka rocket lettuce
- 120g / 4 oz Roquefort creamy but can be crumbled into chunks (Note 1, or gorgonzola, stilton, or other good blue cheese
Honey Mustard Dressing:
- 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Dressing: Shake Dressing in a jar.
- Pears: Halve then scoop out core. Place cut face down and slice into 3mm / 0.12" slices. (Note 2)
- Walnuts: Spread on tray and toast in a 180°C/350°F oven for 8 minutes or until they smell nutty. Leave some whole, break some in half with hands.
- Dress rocket: In a large bowl, toss rocket with 2 tbsp Dressing.
- Assemble: Pile 1/3 rocket on a platter. Scatter with 1/3 pears, 1/3 walnuts, 1/3 blue cheese crumbled into small chunks. Repeat twice more. Drizzle with remaining Dressing just before serving.
Notes
- Choose a blue cheese that is creamy enough to crumble but holds texture, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola Piccante.
- The ideal pear slices should be firm and flexible, about 3mm thick, to hold shape without flopping or cracking.
- Lightly sprinkle lemon juice on pear slices if not assembling within 30 minutes to prevent browning.
- Use ripe, juicy pears or similarly textured fruits like nashi pears or sweet apples as substitutes.
- Toast walnuts until aromatic to enhance crunch and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5- 6 as a side
Amount Per Serving
Calories 266 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 266cal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 18mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 509mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 241mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 760IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 186mg | 19% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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