Description
This Pear and Blue Cheese Salad from Barefoot Contessa is fresh, flavorful, and so easy to make. It features ripe pears, sharp blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and mixed greens tossed in a simple homemade vinaigrette. A lovely balance of textures and flavors that feels fancy but comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
For the salad:
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6 cups mixed salad greens (such as arugula, baby spinach, and spring mix)
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2 ripe Bartlett or Anjou pears, cored and thinly sliced
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1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
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1/2 cup toasted walnut halves
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1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
For the vinaigrette:
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1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
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1/2 cup good olive oil
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 tablespoon honey
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
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In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. Set aside.
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In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, pear slices, blue cheese, walnuts, and cranberries (if using).
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Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
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For extra crunch, use candied walnuts or pecans.
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Swap blue cheese for goat cheese or feta if you prefer a milder flavor.
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This salad pairs perfectly with roast chicken or grilled steak for a full meal.