Bacon Pear Gorgonzola Salad Food

BACON PEAR SALAD WITH PARMESAN DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine lettuce and kale. Top with pears, pepper jack cheese and bacon. In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, mustard, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and pepper. Gradually whisk in enough milk to reach desired consistency. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.

PEAR & GORGONZOLA SALAD

Steps:

• To make Vinaigrette------------------.
• Mix vinegar, salt, mustard in a blender or food processor.
• Very slowly pour in the oil while processor is on.
• Process until an emulsion forms.
• Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Add shallots& pepper.
• Best to make it fresh but may be stored for a few days in the fridge.
• ---Salad-----------------------.
• Toss greens with most of the vinaigrette.
• Divide among 4 plates.
• Decorate with pear slices and crumbled cheese.
• Coarsely chop the walnuts and put on top of salad.
• Drizzle the last of the vinaigrette over top.

PEAR SALAD WITH AND BACON, GORGONZOLA AND CANDIED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Assemble salad.
• Mix the lemon juice, oil, maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Toss the salad with the dressing to coat.

BACON, PEAR, AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place cider in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Cider should have a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat, and keep warm.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Make croutons: Place bread slices on a baking sheet, and brush with 4 tablespoons butter. Toast until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
• Cut pears in half; remove seeds with a small melon baller, and discard. Place pears in a medium bowl. Squeeze lemon juice over, and toss to combine. Add shallots to bowl. Drizzle with remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper; and toss to coat. Place in roasting pan, pears cut side down. Roast until golden brown and soft when pierced with a knife, 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and gently with a wooden spoon.
• While pears are cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and saute until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; set aside. Remove pears and shallots from pan, and keep warm.
• Arrange watercress on six serving plates, top with warm pear mixture, and sprinkle with bacon. Place two croutons with a piece of blue cheese on each plate. Drizzle reduced cider over salad. Serve immediately.

GORGONZOLA PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• For dressing, in a blender, combine the vinegar, pear halves and salt; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream., In a salad bowl, combine the greens, chopped pears, tomato, walnuts and cheese. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing; toss to coat. Serve with pepper if desired. Refrigerate any leftover dressing.

PEAR & GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Halve and core the pears, then cut each one into 12 small wedges. Place in a heavy-based saucepan with the honey, port and wine. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the pears are just tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife (they shouldn't be soft).
• Carefully tip the pears into a sieve set over a small saucepan and allow them to drain thoroughly.
• Reduce the liquid in the saucepan by two-thirds - it should have a syrupy consistency like runny honey. This will take 10-12 minutes. Pour the syrup into a small bowl and allow to cool while you prepare the bruschettas.
• Preheat the grill to hot. Cut the bread into 24 slices and brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Grill until the bruschettas are golden on both sides. This only takes a minute, so keep watch.
• Spread each bruschetta with a little gorgonzola and top with a poached pear wedge. Arrange the bruschettas on a serving plate and drizzle with the port syrup using a teaspoon. Sprinkle over a little mustard and cress.
• Prepare ahead: you can poach the pears the day before and serve them cold - they're just as nice. Take them out of the syrup and reduce, then store the pears and syrup in separate plastic containers in the fridge. If the syrup is too thick the next day, add a little warm water, and if it is too thin, you can reduce it by simmering for a minute or two.