Creamy Belgian Endive Salad with Pears and Blue Cheese
This delightful salad features crisp Belgian endive paired with the sweetness of fresh pears and the tangy richness of blue cheese. Perfect for showcasing seasonal produce, it’s a low-carb dish that’s both indulgent and satisfying. I created this recipe for my best friend's birthday dinner, and it was a hit among guests of all ages, including the kids! Quick to prepare and bursting with flavors, this salad is a wonderful addition to any meal or a great side for a festive occasion. Enjoy the simplicity and elegance of this dish in just under 15 minutes!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pears
2 (cored and thinly sliced)
Lemon juice
to taste (to prevent browning of pears)
Belgian endive
3 cups (roughly chopped)
Blue cheese
1 cup (crumbled)
Red wine vinegar
2 parts (for dressing)
Olive oil
1 part (for dressing)
Freshly grated black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by coring and thinly slicing the pears. Place the slices in a bowl and drizzle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the roughly chopped Belgian endive and crumbled blue cheese until well combined.
3
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar and olive oil to create a simple dressing. Pour the dressing over the endive and blue cheese mixture and toss gently to combine.
4
To serve, arrange the pear slices around the edge of a salad plate. Mound the dressed endive and blue cheese mixture in the center of the plate.
5
Finish by seasoning the salad with freshly grated black pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in the Creamy Belgian Endive Salad?
The main ingredients include Belgian endive, fresh pears, blue cheese, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and black pepper.
How long does it take to prepare this salad?
This recipe is very quick and can be prepared in under 15 minutes.
Is this Belgian endive salad low-carb?
Yes, this salad is described as a low-carb dish that is both indulgent and satisfying.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
Crumbled blue cheese is used to provide a tangy richness to the salad.
How do I prevent the pears from turning brown?
Drizzle the thinly sliced pears with lemon juice immediately after slicing to prevent browning.
What is the dressing for this salad?
The dressing is a simple mixture of two parts red wine vinegar and one part olive oil.
How should the Belgian endive be prepared?
The Belgian endive should be roughly chopped before being tossed with the other ingredients.
How do I plate the salad for an elegant presentation?
Arrange the pear slices around the edge of the plate and mound the dressed endive and blue cheese mixture in the center.
What seasoning is recommended for this dish?
The salad is finished with freshly grated black pepper to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, the recipe notes that it was a hit among guests of all ages, including kids.
Can I use this salad for a party?
Absolutely, it is described as a great side for festive occasions and party menus.
What is the ratio of vinegar to oil in the dressing?
The recipe calls for 2 parts red wine vinegar to 1 part olive oil.
How should the pears be sliced?
The pears should be cored and then thinly sliced.
Is this salad considered vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this salad is vegetarian-friendly.
What makes Belgian endive a good choice for this salad?
Belgian endive provides a crisp texture that pairs perfectly with sweet pears and tangy blue cheese.
How many total ingredients are required?
There are a total of 7 ingredients required for this recipe.
Can this be served as a quick lunch?
Yes, one of the tags for this recipe is 'quick lunch,' making it ideal for a fast mid-day meal.
Is the blue cheese mixed in or used as a garnish?
The blue cheese is tossed together with the chopped endive before the dressing is added.
What is the flavor profile of this salad?
The flavor profile is a combination of crisp bitterness from the endive, sweetness from the pears, and tanginess from the blue cheese.
Does the recipe include any added sugar?
No, there is no added sugar; the sweetness comes naturally from the fresh pears.
What category does this recipe fall under?
It falls under the category of recipes that take less than 15 minutes to prepare.
Is the black pepper added at the beginning or end?
The black pepper is used as a finishing touch after the salad has been plated.
What kind of vinegar is best for this salad?
The recipe specifically recommends using red wine vinegar.
How much blue cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of crumbled blue cheese.
How much Belgian endive is used?
You will need 3 cups of roughly chopped Belgian endive.
Are the pear slices tossed with the endive?
No, the instructions state to arrange the pear slices around the edge of the plate rather than tossing them in.
Is this recipe easy for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy recipe' and involves very simple assembly steps.
What is the primary fruit in this salad?
The primary fruit used in this salad is pear.
Can I substitute the olive oil?
While olive oil is recommended for the dressing, you could use another neutral oil, though olive oil provides the best flavor for this Mediterranean-style dressing.