Caramelized Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
Creamy blue cheese meets juicy, caramel-kissed pears in a salad that feels both elegant and comfortingly simple.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Ripe pears, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Butter Room temperature or slightly softened for melting
- 1 tablespoon Honey or maple syrup For drizzling while cooking
- 6 cups Mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix), washed and dried
- 1/2 cup Crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup Toasted walnuts (optional), roughly chopped after toasting
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it starts to foam. Make sure the pan is hot but not smoking so the pears brown evenly.
- Add the sliced pears to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Turn them gently so they brown on both sides.
- Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the pears, cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until caramelized and golden. Watch closely to prevent burning; the syrup should create a sticky, glossy coating.
- In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, tossing lightly to make room for the warm pears. Cold greens and warm pears create a pleasant temperature contrast.
- Top the greens with the caramelized pears, then scatter the crumbled blue cheese over the salad so it melts slightly against the warm fruit. Add the toasted walnuts if using for crunch.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze for extra flavor, if desired. A light hand keeps the balance between sweet and savory.
- Serve immediately and enjoy! Serve on chilled plates if you want the greens to stay crisp longer.
Notes
Store leftover components separately if possible. Keep caramelized pears in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Greens should be stored separately to avoid wilting.