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pear salad in a white bowl

Pear Salad with Walnuts and Gorgonzola

Sean
A fresh fall salad with pears, gorgonzola cheese, and candied walnuts with a balsamic vinaigrette.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 498 kcal

Equipment

  • Sheet pan
  • Blender
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
 
 

Salad

  • 6 cups romaine lettuce torn
  • 2 pears thinly sliced
  • ½ cup gorgonzola crumbles

Candied Walnuts

  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 4 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ tablespoon vanilla

Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Making the candied walnuts

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F, 177°C, or gas mark 4.
  • Spray the sheet pan with non-stick spray. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. In a bowl mix the butter mixture with the walnuts until evenly coated. Pour onto the greased sheet pan and bake for 5-7 minutes or until the walnuts become fragrant.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Making the dressing

  • While the walnuts are cooling in a blender combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, salt and pepper. Blend on high until everything is combined and the garlic has been blended.

Assembling the salad

  • In a mixing bowl toss the lettuce with about ¼-⅓ cup of the balsamic dressing and layer the lettuce then pears, walnuts, and gorgonzola. Add additional dressing to the lettuce if more is needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 498kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 9gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 331mgPotassium: 469mgFiber: 6gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 6455IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 146mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer*
Keyword Healthy, Pear, Quick and Easy, Salad
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