Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
What do you do when a friend calls and invites you to pick pears from a tree that is loaded with delicious fruit? Well, you go and pick sweet, juicy pears for a tasty summer salad! Pear and Blue Cheese Salad is a great combination of sliced pears, crunchy pecans, tangy blue cheese and mixed greens. Dress the salad with a tasty honey mustard dressing and it will become one of your favorite salad recipes.
This flavor combination is so enticing! Sharp and tangy blue cheese crumbled over a salad of mixed greens, shredded carrots, thinly sliced pears and diced cucumbers with a honey Dijon dressing is the perfect addition to any meal.
What type of cheese should I use in this salad?
We love blue cheese, but maybe you don’t? Use herbed goat cheese in this salad as a replacement for the blue cheese. It is creamy and delicious, and is quickly becoming a favorite substitute in our home for many cheeses. You can find goat cheese in garlic, herb, and tomato basil flavors in most grocery stores and fresh markets. It is also a great choice for those who are lactose intolerant, as it has less lactose than cheese made with cow’s milk.
How to pick a pear?
- What to look for? When picking pears, they should be firm or just slightly soft. If needed, allow them to sit for a day or two on the kitchen counter to ripen. Pears are great to include in lunchboxes and for use in desserts. You can use them in place of apples in many recipes.
- Color? Sometimes ripeness can be determined by the color of the pear. Some pears will change color as they ripen, like Bartlett pears, which are picked when green and change to yellow when ripe. Other varieties, including Bosc, do not change color and should be tested for ripeness by pressing gently on the fruit just around the stem. If it gives a little, it is ripe.
- How to ripen pears? Place unripened pears in a paper bag and allow them to sit at room temperature for a few days to ripen. Store ripe pears in the refrigerator, as this slows the ripening process and enhances the flavor of the pear.
How to dress a salad?
Pick a bowl large enough for all of your salad ingredients. For this salad, you want to add the dressing to the bowl first, then add the leafy greens and chopped vegetables. Toss all in the dressing to coat evenly.
Last, add the pear slices and the honey roasted pecans to the top of the salad. Wipe the rim of the salad bowl for a pretty presentation and serve the salad immediately. Each piece of lettuce gets lightly coated with dressing and makes for the best tasting salad.
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad Recipe
What’s needed?
Salad:
- 1 large Bartlett pear, cored and sliced thin
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup honey roasted pecans
Dressing:
Makes enough for two salads.
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- a pinch salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
How to make Pear and Blue Cheese Salad?
- Wash your mixed greens and allow to dry on a towel. Chop the cucumber, slice the pears and shred the carrots.
- Add dressing ingredients to a mason jar and secure the lid. Shake dressing until combined. Easy and delicious!
- Pour half of the dressing in the bottom of a salad bowl and add your mixed greens, cucumbers and carrots. Toss to coat all with dressing. Refrigerate remaining dressing for another use.
- Add the blue cheese crumbles, sliced pears and honey roasted pecans to the top of the salad. Serve immediately. This salad makes 4 servings.
Serve Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with roasted pork loin, grilled chicken or burgers off the grill. For more delightful salads, check out these recipes:
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1 large Bartlett pear, cored and sliced thin
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup pecans, honey roasted
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Wash your mixed greens and allow to dry on a towel. Chop the cucumber, slice the pears and shred the carrots. (Carrots can be bought already shredded, a great time saver.)
- Add dressing ingredients to a mason jar and secure the lid. Shake dressing until combined. Easy and delicious!
- Pour half of the dressing in the bottom of a salad bowl and add your mixed greens, cucumbers and carrots. Toss to coat lightly with dressing. Refrigerate remaining dressing for another use.
- Add the blue cheese crumbles, sliced pears and honey roasted pecans to the top of the salad. Serve immediately. This salad makes 4 servings.
Equipment
- 1 large salad bowl
- 1 small mason jar, with lid
Notes
- What to look for? When picking pears, they should be firm or just slightly soft. If needed, allow them to sit for a day or two on the kitchen counter to ripen. Pears are great to include in lunchboxes and for use in desserts. You can use them in place of apples in many recipes.
- Color? Ripeness can sometimes be determined by the color of the pear. Some pears will change color as they ripen, like Bartlett pears, which are picked when green and change to yellow when ripe. Other varieties, including Bosc, do not change color and should be tested for ripeness by pressing gently on the fruit just around the stem. If it gives a little, it is ripe.
- How to ripen pears? Place unripened pears in a paper bag and allow them to sit at room temperature for a few days to ripen. Store ripe pears in the refrigerator, as this slows the ripening process and enhances the flavor of the pear.