Arugula Fig Salad With Creamy Gorgonzola Food

ARUGULA SALAD WITH PEARS AND GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons reserved pear juice and olive oil and vinegar dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Add arugula and toss to coat.
• Divide dressed arugula among 4 chilled salad plates. Top each salad with 4 pear slices, Gorgonzola, and pecans. Serve immediately.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH FRIED GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Blend the Gorgonzola in a food processor until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the work bowl occasionally. Using 1 rounded teaspoon of cheese for each, form the cheese into 18 (1-inch) balls. Working in batches, coat the balls with the egg then with the bread crumbs. Repeat coating the balls in the egg and bread crumbs. Arrange the balls on a small baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Whisk the lemon juice, garlic, and lemon peel in a medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in 1/3 cup oil. Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper. Set the dressing aside.
• Add enough oil to a heavy small saucepan to come 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Heat the oil over medium heat. At this point, remove the refrigerated Gorgonzola balls from the refrigerator. Working in batches, add the cold balls to the hot oil and fry just until golden brown, about 20 seconds. (It is essential that the Gorgonzola balls be cold when they go into the oil, otherwise they will fall apart in the oil. If they start to warm up at any point, return them to the refrigerator to firm back up.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried balls to paper towels to drain.
• Toss the arugula in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mound the salad on plates. Top the salads with the hot fried Gorgonzola balls and serve immediately.

GRILLED FIG & ARUGULA SALAD WITH GORGONZOLA TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the grill.
• To make the FIGS: Thread 4 fig halves lengthwise on each skewer, coat the figs with cooking spray.
• Place fig kabobs on the grill rack and and grill 4 minutes on each side. Let cool a little bit then remove from the skewers.
• To make the SALAD DRESSING: Combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
• SALAD: Mix the spinach and arugula in a large bowl.
• Add the dresing, toss gently to coat.
• Divide the mixture evently among 8 serving plates, then top with the figs and Boston lettuce leaves, sprinkle with green onions.
• TOASTS: Combine the cheese and butter in a small bowl, stir until well-blended.
• Grill the bread slices 5 minutes on each side or until golden, let cool.
• Spread 1 tsp cheese mixture on each slide and serve with each salad.
• 1 serving = 1 cup salad, 1 lettuce leaf, 3 fig halves, and 1 gorgonzola toast.

FIG AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss arugula, figs, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts together in a large bowl.
• Drizzle honey and balsamic vinegar over salad before serving.

ORANGE, FIG, AND GORGONZOLA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine lettuce, oranges, Gorgonzola cheese, and figs in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat.