Description
- Pear Salad with blue cheese blends sweetness, crunch, and creaminess—perfect for holiday sides or elegant starters
Ingredients
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2 ripe pears (or sweet apples), halved, cored, and thinly sliced
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¾ cup walnuts (or almonds/pecans), whole or halved
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4 oz arugula (rocket) lettuce
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4 oz creamy blue cheese, crumbled (such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton)
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Honey Mustard Dressing:
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1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
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1½ tablespoons honey
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1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
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1½ tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
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¼ teaspoon salt
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⅛ teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions
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Prepare the Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well until smooth.
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Toast the Nuts: Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F (180°C) for about 8 minutes until fragrant. Let cool, then leave some whole and break others in half.
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Slice the Pears: Cut the pears into thin slices about ⅛ inch thick. If not using immediately, drizzle lightly with lemon juice to prevent browning.
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Toss the Greens: In a large bowl, gently toss arugula with about 2 tablespoons of the dressing.
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Assemble the Salad: On a large platter, layer one-third of the arugula, pears, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese. Repeat two more times for a total of three layers.
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Finish with Dressing: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top just before serving.