Pear & Gorgonzola Salad

Bergy's Note:

Great looking salad with lots of zip

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 cup walnut halves, toasted
• 4 -6 cups torn salad greens, , trimmed washed & dried
• 1/2 cup vinaigrette
• 2 pears, peeled,cored & sliced
• 1/4 lb gorgonzola (You may substitute with Blue or roquefort cheese)

Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons shallots, finely minced
• pepper

Directions:

1. To make Vinaigrette------------------.
2. Mix vinegar, salt, mustard in a blender or food processor.
3. Very slowly pour in the oil while processor is on.
4. Process until an emulsion forms.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Add shallots& pepper.
7. Best to make it fresh but may be stored for a few days in the fridge.
8. ---Salad-----------------------.
9. Toss greens with most of the vinaigrette.
10. Divide among 4 plates.
11. Decorate with pear slices and crumbled cheese.
12. Coarsely chop the walnuts and put on top of salad.
13. Drizzle the last of the vinaigrette over top.

Reviews

[Graybert]

This is a very good and attractive salad. I used pecan halves as I did not have walnuts. I also used spinach, romain and endive for my assorted greens - it turned out wonderful! I recommend using this salad as a lunch item or first course meal - if you "blend" it with other flavors in a meal it may take away from the taste of this. Next time I may try some cut up brie cheese for a different taste. Really great salad - worth trying!!

[Chef #477868]

This is an excellent salad. I added some dried cranberries and topped with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Try CANDIED walnuts for little variety, too!

[Meyer Lemon]

Very easy and flavorful. We like with less dressing, so I used 1/4 cup for 6 cups of salad green to be tossed with. The extra vinaigrette can be stored in frige for a while for more of this salad. A couple of our guest did not care for gargonzola, so that was left on the side for self-serve. Everyone liked how nicely the pear & walnut (& cheese) fit together.