Gorgonzola, Pear, and Walnut Spinach Salad with Honeyed Vinaigrette
This delightful salad brings together the fresh flavors of ripe pears, creamy Gorgonzola, and crunchy toasted walnuts. Enhanced by a homemade pear vinaigrette, it's a perfect mix of sweet and savory, creating a refreshing and elegant dish ideal for any occasion. Serve it as a luxurious side or a light main course.
5
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
walnut halves
3/4 cup (toasted)
pear
1 can (15 ounces) (drained, reserving 1/4 cup of syrup)
honey mustard
2 teaspoons (or sweetened mustard with honey)
cider vinegar
1 teaspoon
olive oil
1 tablespoon
baby spinach
8 cups
Gorgonzola cheese
3/4 cup (crumbled)
Instructions
1
1. Toast the walnuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the walnut halves on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Allow them to cool completely before using.
2
2. Prepare the pears: Drain the canned pears, reserving 1/4 cup of the syrup. Cut the pears into bite-sized pieces if needed.
3
3. Make the pear vinaigrette: In a medium bowl, combine the reserved pear syrup, honey mustard, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the mixture is emulsified.
4
4. Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, toasted walnuts, drained pear pieces, and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.
5
5. Dress the salad: Just before serving, drizzle the pear vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
6
6. Serve immediately: Transfer the salad to individual plates and serve immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main components of this salad?
The salad consists of baby spinach, canned pears, toasted walnut halves, and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, all tossed in a homemade honeyed pear vinaigrette.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to make 5 servings.
How do I toast the walnuts for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), spread the walnut halves on a baking sheet, and toast for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Can I use fresh pears instead of canned?
While the recipe specifies canned pears to use the syrup for the dressing, you can use fresh pears if you substitute the 1/4 cup of reserved syrup with a liquid sweetener like honey or agave.
What ingredients are in the honeyed pear vinaigrette?
The dressing is made from reserved pear syrup, honey mustard, cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Is this Gorgonzola and Pear Salad vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat products.
What type of cheese is used in this salad?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.
How much spinach do I need?
You will need 8 cups of baby spinach for this salad.
Can I make the dressing in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the vinaigrette ahead of time, but be sure to whisk it again before serving to ensure it is emulsified.
What type of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe specifically recommends using 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar.
Can I substitute the walnuts?
Yes, pecans or slivered almonds would make excellent substitutes for the walnuts in this recipe.
How do I prevent the salad from becoming soggy?
To keep the salad fresh and crisp, only drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and toss them just before you are ready to serve.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It can be served as a luxurious side dish or a light main course, ideally immediately after tossing with the dressing.
What size can of pears is required?
The recipe uses one 15-ounce can of pears.
What temperature should the oven be for the walnuts?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Is there a substitute for honey mustard?
You can use a standard sweetened mustard with honey if honey mustard is not available.
How much olive oil is used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Do the walnuts need to be cooled before adding to the salad?
Yes, you should allow the toasted walnuts to cool completely before mixing them with the spinach to prevent wilting.
Can I use a different type of blue cheese?
Yes, if you don't have Gorgonzola, other blue cheeses like Roquefort or Stilton can provide a similar creamy, tangy profile.
How much pear syrup is needed for the dressing?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of the reserved syrup from the canned pears.
What is the texture of this salad?
The salad offers a variety of textures, including crunchy toasted walnuts, creamy Gorgonzola, and soft, juicy pears.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, with only 7 ingredients and a total of 6 simple steps, it is considered an easy and quick salad recipe.
How should I cut the pears?
After draining, the pears should be cut into bite-sized pieces if they are not already sliced.
Can I add protein to this salad?
Yes, grilled chicken or shrimp would be excellent additions if you want to make the salad more filling.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Most of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free; however, you should check the label on your honey mustard to ensure it doesn't contain gluten-based thickeners.
Can I use frozen spinach?
No, fresh baby spinach is necessary for the proper texture of this fresh salad.
What if I don't have a whisk for the dressing?
You can also place all the dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously to emulsify.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: walnuts, pears, honey mustard, cider vinegar, olive oil, baby spinach, and Gorgonzola.
Should I salt the salad?
Salt and pepper are included in the dressing instructions to enhance the flavors of the vinaigrette.
Can this salad be stored as leftovers?
If already dressed, the spinach will wilt quickly. For best results, store the dressing and salad components separately if you plan to have leftovers.