Warm Pear Salad with Spiced Walnuts
Makes
2
servings

Make enough spiced walnuts for another day, another salad! They are easy to make and a happy garnish for either salad or roasted butternut squash.

Meal Type
Salads & Soups
Diet Type
Gluten-Free
Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
1 shallot minced
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 ripe Anjou or Bartlett pear, ripe but firm
8 cups salad greens, a mix
1 cup spiced walnuts
½ cup Gorgonzola

Spiced Walnuts
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups walnuts
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or less)
1

In a skillet, heat the butter over moderate heat. Add the walnuts, tossing to coat. 

2

Add the sugar, salt, and cayenne, and cook, stirring constantly for 8 minutes or until walnuts are well coated and sugar has caramelized. 

Don't walk away, the butter burns easily on high heat.

3

Spread walnuts out on a non-stick pan to cool. 

4

Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together. In a medium size saucepan, warm the vinaigrette until hot.

5

In the meantime, halve the pears, remove the cores and stems. Cut in half lengthwise and then into ¼ inch slices.

6

Heat the pear slices in the dressing. Gently turn the pears until they are completely coated and warm, about 2 minutes.

7

Serve immediately.

8

Place salad greens in a large bowl. Gently toss with the pears and vinaigrette. 

9

Add half of the walnuts, toss again. 

10

Use tongs to place a serving of salad on a plate, add some walnuts and sprinkle with the cheese.