Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket Recipe

Introduction

This Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket is a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Juicy pears, crunchy toasted walnuts, and creamy blue cheese come together on a bed of fresh arugula, all brought to life with a simple honey-Dijon dressing.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 – 2 pears, any type, juicy and ripe (or nashi pears or sweet apples)
• 3/4 cup walnuts, whole (substitute almonds or pecans if desired)
• 120g / 4 oz rocket/arugula lettuce
• 120g / 4 oz Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, or other good blue cheese, creamy but can be crumbled into chunks
• 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the dressing by combining Dijon mustard, honey, cider vinegar, vegetable or olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a jar. Shake well until fully mixed.
2. Step 2: Halve the pears and scoop out the cores. Place each half cut-side down and slice into thin 3mm (0.12 inch) slices.
3. Step 3: Spread the walnuts evenly on a baking tray and toast in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 8 minutes or until they smell nutty. Allow to cool, then leave some whole and break others in half by hand.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, toss the rocket with 2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing to coat evenly.
5. Step 5: On a serving platter, layer one-third of the dressed rocket, then scatter one-third of the pear slices, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese. Repeat this layering two more times.
6. Step 6: Just before serving, drizzle the remaining dressing over the assembled salad for a fresh finish.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, substitute toasted walnuts with toasted pecans or almonds.
• If blue cheese is too strong, use a milder variety or replace it with feta for a different flavor.
• Swap the pears for crisp apples if pears are not in season or preferred.
• Toast walnuts carefully to avoid burning, which can impart bitterness to the salad.

Storage

Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers. The dressed rocket is best eaten fresh, but undressed rocket and other ingredients can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Assemble just before serving to keep textures fresh. Leftover dressing can be refrigerated for up to 1 week and shaken well before reuse.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

It’s best to prepare the dressing, toast the walnuts, and slice the fruit in advance, but toss the rocket and assemble the salad just before serving to maintain freshness and avoid sogginess.

What if I don’t have blue cheese?

You can substitute blue cheese with feta or goat cheese for a milder taste, or omit cheese altogether and add extra nuts for texture.