Pear Gorgonzola with Honey Dressing (Printer View)

Sweet pears meet tangy Gorgonzola in this crisp salad with walnuts and honey-balsamic dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
02 - 2 ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced
03 - 3.5 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
04 - 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries

→ Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette

06 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tbsp honey
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified and smooth.
02 - Place mixed greens in a large salad bowl and toss gently with half of the prepared dressing to coat evenly.
03 - Arrange pear slices, Gorgonzola crumbles, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries over the dressed greens in an even layer.
04 - Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and serve immediately while pears remain fresh and walnuts stay crisp.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The balance of sweet and salty hits every part of your palate at once
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes flat but looks restaurant fancy
  • The honey balsamic dressing alone will become your new go to for everything
02 -
  • Slice your pears at the very last minute and toss them with a little lemon juice to prevent browning if prepping ahead
  • The dressing tastes better after sitting for ten minutes, so make it first and let the flavors meld while you prep everything else
  • Serve immediately after dressing because the greens will start to wilt once the dressing hits them
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to create elegant ribbons of pear instead of slices for a more sophisticated presentation
  • Warm the honey slightly in the microwave for ten seconds to make it easier to whisk into the dressing
  • Taste your dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the honey or vinegar based on your pears sweetness
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