Pear Gorgonzola Salad (Printable)

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

# What You Need:

→ Salad

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 (optional)

→ Dressing

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

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
02 - In a large salad bowl, toss mixed greens lightly 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 appealing pattern.
04 - Drizzle remaining dressing over the salad just before serving to maintain crispness of greens.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The perfect balance of sweet fruit and savory, tangy cheese.
  • Quick and easy to prepare with no cooking time required.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, making it a crowd-pleaser.
02 -
  • Always check labels for possible gluten or nut traces if allergies are present.
  • Core the pears carefully to maintain beautiful, thin slices for presentation.
  • Toss the greens with only half the dressing first to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
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