Gourmet Pear & Blue Cheese Delight Salad
Indulge in the exquisite combination of sweet, juicy pears and savory blue cheese with this Gourmet Pear & Blue Cheese Delight Salad. Perfect for any occasion, this salad features a creamy dressing that beautifully enhances the flavors of fresh salad greens. The toasted nuts add a delightful crunch, while the crumbled blue cheese on top elevates the dish to gourmet status. Serve it as an elegant starter or a light main course that is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. Versatile enough to use both pears and apples, this salad is a fantastic balance of flavors and textures that you can whip up in no time!
N/A
Servings
167
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
blue cheese, crumbled
100 g (divided)
cream cheese
2 ounces (at room temperature)
2% low-fat milk
1/4 cup (more if required)
mesclun or mixed salad greens
6 cups (fresh)
firm ripe pears or apples
3 (unpeeled)
nuts (walnuts or pecans)
1/2 cup (toasted and coarsely chopped)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together half of the crumbled blue cheese, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup of low-fat milk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, gradually add more milk until you reach your desired consistency. This dressing can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until serving.
2
On each individual salad plate, place a generous amount (about 1 cup) of the mesclun or mixed salad greens.
3
Slice the firm ripe pears in half, remove the core, and cut them into wedges. Arrange the pear wedges artfully on top of the greens.
4
Drizzle the creamy dressing over the pear slices, ensuring each is lightly coated.
5
Finish the salad by sprinkling the remaining crumbled blue cheese, toasted nuts, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper on top for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
12 g
Fat
13 g
Carbs
7 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gourmet Pear & Blue Cheese Delight Salad?
It is an exquisite salad that combines sweet, juicy pears with savory blue cheese, creamy dressing, and toasted nuts for a gourmet flavor profile.
What are the primary ingredients in this salad?
The main ingredients include mesclun greens, firm ripe pears or apples, blue cheese, cream cheese, low-fat milk, and toasted walnuts or pecans.
How do I prepare the salad dressing?
Whisk together half of the crumbled blue cheese, room temperature cream cheese, and 1/4 cup of low-fat milk until smooth and creamy.
Can the dressing be made in advance?
Yes, the dressing can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve the salad.
What should I do if the dressing is too thick?
If the dressing is too thick, gradually add more milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
What kind of pears should I use?
The recipe calls for firm ripe pears, which should be sliced into wedges.
Can I use apples instead of pears?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and allows for the use of apples as a substitute for pears.
How much blue cheese is required?
You need 100 grams of crumbled blue cheese, which is divided between the dressing and the topping.
What type of greens work best?
Mesclun or mixed salad greens are recommended for this recipe.
How many cups of salad greens are needed?
The recipe uses 6 cups of fresh mesclun or mixed salad greens.
How should the nuts be prepared?
The nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, should be toasted and coarsely chopped before being added to the salad.
What is the calorie count for this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 167 calories.
How much fat is in a serving?
The salad contains 12 grams of fat per serving.
What is the protein content?
There are 7 grams of protein per serving in this recipe.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
The salad contains 13 grams of carbohydrates.
Should the pears be peeled?
No, the recipe specifies using unpeeled pears or apples.
What kind of milk should I use for the dressing?
The recipe suggests using 2% low-fat milk.
How do I assemble the salad?
Place greens on a plate, top with pear wedges, drizzle with dressing, and finish with remaining blue cheese, nuts, and pepper.
Is this salad suitable as a main course?
Yes, it can be served as either an elegant starter or a light main course.
What provides the crunch in this salad?
The toasted walnuts or pecans provide a delightful crunch.
Does this recipe include black pepper?
Yes, freshly ground black pepper is added at the end to taste.
How many pears are needed for the recipe?
You will need 3 firm ripe pears or apples.
What is the preparation state for the cream cheese?
The cream cheese should be at room temperature to ensure it blends smoothly into the dressing.
How much cream cheese is used?
The recipe requires 2 ounces of cream cheese.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy and easy salad recipe.
How do I core the pears?
Slice the pears in half first, then remove the core before cutting them into wedges.
Can I use any type of nut?
While walnuts and pecans are suggested, you can use your preferred variety of toasted nuts.
How much dressing goes on each salad?
Drizzle enough dressing to ensure each pear slice is lightly coated.
Is this recipe fast to make?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe that you can whip up in no time.
What makes this salad 'gourmet'?
The combination of specialized ingredients like blue cheese, mesclun, and toasted nuts along with an artful presentation gives it gourmet status.