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Caramelized Pear and Blue Cheese Salad – A Perfect Sweet & Savory Delight


  • Author: Emilia

Description

A Caramelized Pear and Blue Cheese Salad is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. This elegant yet simple dish showcases the delicious contrast between warm, caramelized pears and the bold, creamy sharpness of blue cheese. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing appetizer, a light lunch, or an impressive side dish for a dinner party, this salad is a fantastic choice.

The combination of pears and blue cheese has long been celebrated in gourmet cuisine. The pears, cooked to golden perfection in butter and honey or brown sugar, become soft and rich with a natural sweetness that perfectly balances the salty, pungent blue cheese. Tossed with crisp greens, toasted nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette, the salad achieves a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its versatility. It can be easily customized with different types of nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds) and greens (like arugula, spinach, or mixed baby greens). The dressing can also be adjusted to your liking, whether you prefer a balsamic reduction, honey mustard, or a simple lemon vinaigrette.


Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe pears (Bartlett or Bosc work best)
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or baby greens)
  • ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton)
  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts or pecans
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparation Tips

How to Make the Recipe

  1. Caramelize the Pears:

    • Slice pears into thin wedges.
    • Heat butter in a pan over medium heat. Add pears and drizzle with honey or sprinkle with brown sugar.
    • Sauté for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and caramelized. Remove from heat.
  2. Prepare the Dressing:

    • In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
  3. Assemble the Salad:

    • In a large bowl, combine mixed greens and toasted nuts.
    • Add the caramelized pears while still warm.
    • Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top.
  4. Dress and Serve:

    • Drizzle the salad with dressing just before serving. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
    • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Notes

Details:

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2-4 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Sautéing, Tossing
  • Cuisine: American, French-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian
  • Keywords: Caramelized Pear and Blue Cheese Salad, pear salad with blue cheese, sweet and savory salad, gourmet salad, easy pear salad

Equipment:

  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Small whisk or fork (for dressing)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Salad tongs

Nutrition (Per Serving):

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: ~320
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 18mg