Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket Recipe
A refreshing and elegant Pear Salad with Blue Cheese and Rocket, combining juicy pears, toasted walnuts, peppery rocket, and creamy blue cheese, all brought together with a tangy honey-Dijon dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a sophisticated starter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 1/2 – 2 pears, any type, juicy and ripe (or nashi pears or sweet apples)
- 3/4 cup walnuts, whole (substitute with almonds or pecans if preferred)
- 120g / 4 oz rocket/arugula lettuce
- 120g / 4 oz Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, or other good blue cheese, creamy but can be crumbled into chunks
Dressing Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the Dressing: Combine Dijon mustard, honey, cider vinegar, vegetable or olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are well blended and emulsified.
- Prepare the Pears: Halve the pears and scoop out the core with a spoon. Place the cut face down on a cutting board and slice thinly into approximately 3mm (0.12 inch) slices for an even, delicate texture.
- Toast the Walnuts: Spread the walnuts evenly on a baking tray. Toast in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for about 8 minutes or until they emit a nutty aroma. After toasting, leave some walnuts whole and break some in half using your hands for a mix of textures.
- Dress the Rocket: Place the rocket/arugula in a large bowl and add 2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat the leaves evenly without bruising them.
- Assemble the Salad: On a serving platter, pile one-third of the dressed rocket. Scatter one-third of the pear slices, then one-third of the toasted walnuts, and finally one-third of the blue cheese crumbled into small chunks. Repeat the layering two more times to build a visually appealing salad. Just before serving, drizzle the remaining dressing over the assembled salad for added flavor.
Notes
- Choose a creamy blue cheese like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Using ripe and juicy pears enhances the sweetness and balance of the salad.
- Toasting walnuts brings out their natural oils and intensifies their flavor.
- The salad is best served immediately after dressing to keep the rocket crisp.
Keywords: pear salad, blue cheese salad, rocket salad, arugula salad, toasted walnuts, honey Dijon dressing, fresh fruit salad
