Description
A vibrant and delicious salad featuring caramelized pears with butter and honey, paired with tangy blue cheese, crunchy candied nuts, sweet dried cranberries, and a touch of red onion, all tossed with mixed greens and finished with a balsamic glaze for a perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramelized Pears
- 2 ripe pears, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Salad Base
- 6 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ¼ cup candied walnuts or pecans
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (or balsamic vinaigrette)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pears: Slice the ripe pears into thin, even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Caramelize the Pears: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the pear slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add Sweetener: Drizzle the honey or maple syrup over the pears in the skillet. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, gently stirring occasionally, until the pears are tender and caramelized with a golden glaze.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, thinly sliced red onion, dried cranberries, and candied walnuts or pecans.
- Add Cheese and Pears: Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese over the salad, then gently add the caramelized pears on top.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle the balsamic glaze or vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to combine all ingredients without breaking the pears.
- Serve Immediately: Plate the salad and serve right away to enjoy the contrast between warm pears and fresh greens.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm pears such as Bartlett or Bosc for best caramelization without turning mushy.
- Substitute candied walnuts with pecans or almonds if preferred.
- The balsamic glaze can be replaced with a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a lighter dressing.
- For a vegan version, omit the blue cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative, and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Caramelize pears just before serving to maintain their delicate texture and warmth.
