Crunchy Pear and Celery Salad

Submitted by MathMom.calif

"From Eating Well magazine, one of my favorite salads. The flavors blend so well and compliment and the textures are marvelous. If you have the white cheddar with a red pear, the colors are nice. When I get a green pear I just use yellow cheddar."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 4 stalk celery, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
• 29.58 29.58 ml raspberry vinegar or 29.58 ml other fruit vinegar
• 29.58 ml maple syrup (original recipe called for honey)
• 1.23 ml salt
• 2 ripe pears, diced (preferably red Barltett or anjou for their crispness)
• 236.59 ml finely diced white cheddar cheese
• 118.29 ml chopped pecans, toasted (see NOTE)
• fresh ground pepper
• 6 leaf butterhead lettuce (I usually use romaine) or 6 leaf other lettuce (I usually use romaine)

directions

1. Soak celery in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
2. Whisk together in a large bowl the vinegar, maple syrup and salt. Add pears and stir gently to coat. Add celery, cheese and pecans, stirring to combine. Season with pepper.
3. Place the 6 lettuce leaves on plates and divide the salad, placing a portion on top of the lettuce on each plate.
4. Serve either chilled or at room temperature.
5. NOTE: To toast the nuts, cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly browned (about 2 to 4 minutes).
6. VARIATION: Instead of cheddar and pecans, try a good Parmesan and toasted walnuts.

Reviews

[FlyingCook]

This was fantastic. DH couldn't stop raving. Made as directed with apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, pecans, white cheddar, celery, and red pears. Looked beautiful and tasted great. The flavors went very well together and the syrup gave it a pleasant sweetness that you don't often find in dressings. Will definitely make again.

 

[Edith T]

This is a delicious salad which is quick and easy to make. I didn't bother to soak my celery and it was still quite crispy. I did use honey instead of the maple syrup and local Wisconsin organic pears. I didn't happen to have any cheddar but had some organic mozzarella from a local farm which had good flavor and texture. It really let the pears shine.

 

[Kizzikate]

I used NY State sharp cheddar, and romaine leaves. Made this for the family that I cook for, and they all want me to make it again. In my book, that's a winner!

 

[puppitypup]

This was delicious! The combination of the celery with the pears and pecans was delicious. I think next time I'll try it with Feta or Queso Ranchero cheese. Thanks for a definite keeper Sheila!

 

[Kittencalrecipezazz]

This salad went over very well on an extreme hot day, I used toasted almonds in place of the pecans, the combo if the crunchy celery with fruit combines well together, I used feta in place of the white cheddar that worked out well, we enjoyed this salad MathMom, thanks for sharing!...Kitten:)