Vegetarian Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Salad Recipe
Looking for a sophisticated and delicious vegetarian salad? This Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy, making it an ideal appetizer, side dish, or even a light main course. Roasting the pears brings out their natural sweetness and creates a wonderfully soft texture that complements the creamy blue cheese beautifully.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Flavor explosion: The combination of sweet pears, pungent blue cheese, peppery arugula, and crunchy walnuts is simply irresistible.
- Easy to make: Roasting the pears is the most time-consuming part, and it’s largely hands-off. The rest is just assembly!
- Impressive presentation: This salad looks elegant and sophisticated, making it perfect for entertaining.
- Vegetarian-friendly: A delicious and satisfying vegetarian option that even meat-eaters will enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 4 ounces baby arugula
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss the pear slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the pears in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized.
- While the pears are roasting, whisk together the remaining olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the arugula, roasted pears, blue cheese, and toasted walnuts.
- Drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- Type of Pear: Bosc or Anjou pears work best for roasting.
- Cheese: Gorgonzola or a sharp cheddar can be substituted for blue cheese.
- Nuts: Pecans or almonds can be used instead of walnuts.
- Greens: Spinach or mixed greens can be substituted for arugula.
- Add sweetness: A drizzle of honey or maple syrup can enhance the sweetness.
This Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese Salad is a delightful and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Give it a try, and let us know what you think!
Ingredients:
pears, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, baby arugula, blue cheese, walnuts, salt, pepper
Tags:
vegetarian, salad, roasted pears, blue cheese, arugula, walnuts, recipe, appetizer, side dish, main course, easy, elegant, balsamic vinegar, bosc pears, anjou pears, gorgonzola, pecans, almonds, spinach, mixed greens, honey, maple syrup, cheese salad