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Prep time
40 minutes
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Cook time
8 minutes
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Makes
4 servings
Author Notes
Pears and good blue cheese are two of my favorite foods so I’ve been combining them in a salad for many years. Because there are several components to this salad, it rarely turns out exactly the same twice. But it’s always wonderful. You could serve it as a main dish for a luncheon, as a plated first course, or even a dessert for a rustic meal. A dry Provençal rosé or a Viognier will go well with it. —ChefJune
Ingredients
- For the Salad
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4
pears (2 Bosc, 2 Bartlett)
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2 tablespoons
safflower oil
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1 teaspoon
cane sugar
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1/2 cup
brown Chinese vinegar
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1 bunch
oak leaf lettuce (preferably red)
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1 bunch
watercress
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1 cup
torn pieces of baby Swiss chard
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1 cup
torn pieces of frisée
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Vinaigrette (see below)
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1 cup
coarsely broken walnut pieces, toasted
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Crumbled Point Reyes Blue cheese
- For the Vinaigrette
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pear pan juices
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1/4 cup
fresh lime juice
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1/8 teaspoon
wasabi powder
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1/3 cup
walnut oil
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1/3 cup
safflower oil
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sea salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
Directions
- For the Salad
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To Caramelize the Pears: Peel and core the pears and divide each one into 24 slices. Warm a large sauté pan and add the oil. Add the pears and turn the heat to medium-low so the pears will not burn before they brown, soften and caramelize.
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When the pears have browned on one side, turn them over and sprinkle with the sugar. Add the vinegar and cover the pan. Cook for about 20 minutes, then remove the lid and continue cooking until almost all the liquid in the pan has evaporated.
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Remove the pears to a large plate (in a single layer). Scrape the remaining pan juices and brown bits into a small bowl for the vinaigrette.
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Carefully wash and thoroughly dry all the greens. Tear into bite-sized pieces and place into a bowl large enough to hold all of them comfortably.
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Toss the greens gently to combine. Then pour over the dressing (reserving about 2 tablespoons) and toss again.
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Divide the dressed greens evenly between 4 large plates and fan one-fourth of the pears atop each bed of greens. Be sure to use some of each kind of pear on each plate.
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Sprinkle walnut pieces and Point Reyes Blue cheese over each salad. Drizzle the remaining dressing over all and serve as a first course.
- For the Vinaigrette
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Place lime juice and wasabi powder in the bowl with the pear pan juices. Whisk to combine well. Whisking constantly, add first the walnut oil, then the safflower oil. Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking.
30+ years a chef, educator, writer, consultant, "winie," travel guide/coordinator
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