Candied Walnut Pear and Gorgonzola Salad
Elevate your salad game with this exquisite Candied Walnut Pear and Gorgonzola Salad, a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Featuring crisp mixed greens, juicy thinly sliced pears, and the distinctive creaminess of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, this salad is beautifully complemented by the crunch of freshly candied walnuts and the subtle tartness of dried cranberries. A silky homemade dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, offering a gourmet touch that's easy to achieve in just 20 minutes. Ideal as a sophisticated starter or a light main course, this salad strikes the perfect balance between elegance and ease, making it a standout dish for any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 8 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 pear(s), sliced thinly
- 0.5 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
In a small nonstick skillet, toast the walnuts over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the granulated sugar and stir constantly until the sugar melts and coats the walnuts. Transfer the candied walnuts to a sheet of parchment paper and let them cool completely.
Wash and dry the salad greens, then place them in a large mixing bowl.
Core and thinly slice the pears. Add the pear slices, cooled candied walnuts, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, and dried cranberries to the salad greens.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately and enjoy your Candied Walnut Pear and Gorgonzola Salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2148 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 152.2 g | 195% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.5 g | 127% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 56.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 1616 mg | 70% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 182.5 g | 66% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.6 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 146.8 g | ||
| Protein | 35.9 g | 72% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 568 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 7.7 mg | 43% | |
| Potassium | 1720 mg | 37% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
