Autumn Harvest Salad with Poached Pears and Cranberry Vinaigrette
Celebrate the flavors of fall with this vibrant Autumn Harvest Salad featuring poached pears, tangy dried cranberries, and creamy blue cheese. The freshness of mixed greens is perfectly complemented by a zesty cranberry vinaigrette made with reduced Riesling wine for an elevated touch. This delightful combination is not only a feast for the eyes but also a nourishing side or light meal that's perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
4
Servings
170
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Riesling wine
1 cup (simmered, reduced by half, and cooled)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon
White wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon
Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Olive oil
6 tablespoons
Mixed greens
1 lb
Crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup
Walnut pieces
1/3 cup
Dried cranberries
1/2 cup
Pears
1 cup (peeled and diced)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, simmer the Riesling wine over medium heat until it reduces by half, then allow it to cool to room temperature.
2
In a nonreactive mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled Riesling, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth vinaigrette.
4
Prepare the salad by evenly dividing the mixed greens among four serving bowls.
5
Top each salad with crumbled blue cheese, walnut pieces, dried cranberries, and the diced pears.
6
Drizzle the prepared cranberry vinaigrette over the salads just before serving.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
12g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Autumn Harvest Salad with Poached Pears and Cranberry Vinaigrette?
It is a vibrant fall-inspired salad featuring mixed greens, poached pears, blue cheese, and walnuts, topped with a Riesling-based cranberry vinaigrette.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What are the calorie counts for this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 170 calories.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, this is a vegetarian salad recipe.
What type of wine is used in the dressing?
The dressing uses 1 cup of Riesling wine, which is simmered and reduced by half.
What kind of cheese is used in this harvest salad?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 12.5g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
Each serving contains 12g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
This salad provides 3g of protein per serving.
What kind of greens are recommended?
The recipe uses 1 lb of mixed greens.
How do you prepare the pears for the salad?
The pears should be peeled and diced before being added to the salad.
What type of nuts are included?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of walnut pieces.
What kind of mustard is in the vinaigrette?
One tablespoon of Dijon mustard is used to flavor the dressing.
Which vinegar is used for the cranberry vinaigrette?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
How do you mix the olive oil into the dressing?
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth, emulsified vinaigrette.
When should I add the dressing to the salad?
Drizzle the cranberry vinaigrette over the salads just before serving to maintain freshness.
Are the cranberries fresh or dried?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of dried cranberries.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Is there salt and pepper in the dressing?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 6 tablespoons of olive oil.
Can this be served as a main meal?
It is described as a nourishing side or a light meal.
How do you handle the Riesling after reducing it?
After reducing the wine by half, you must allow it to cool to room temperature before mixing the vinaigrette.
What type of bowl should be used for mixing the dressing?
A nonreactive mixing bowl is recommended for whisking the vinaigrette.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe.
What are the primary flavor profiles?
The salad combines sweet pears, tangy cranberries, creamy blue cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette.
How much crumbled blue cheese is needed?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to simmer the Riesling wine in a small saucepan until it reduces by half.
Can I substitute the walnuts?
While walnuts are specified, you could likely substitute them with pecans or almonds for a similar crunch.
Is this a good recipe for fall gatherings?
Yes, it is designed to celebrate fall flavors and is perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
What are the main tags for this dish?
The main tags are salad, fall recipes, harvest salad, pears, cranberries, blue cheese, healthy recipes, and vegetarian.