Mixed Endive Salad With Vanilla Pear Vinaigrette And Toasted Wal Food

ENDIVE AND PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• Clean the endive with a dry paper towel and slice off the bottom to separate the leaves. Arrange the leaves around the edge of a large platter. Fill the inside with torn romaine leaves. Cut the pear into thin slices and arrange throughout the platter. Sprinkle the gorgonzola and walnuts on top and season with pepper.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the jam and balsamic vinegar and heat for several seconds until warm. Stir with a small whisk. Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
• From Food Network Star: The Official Insider's Guide to America's Hottest Food Show By Ian Jackman. Copyright (c) 2011 By Food Network. By arrangement with William Morris Cookbooks/HarperCollins Publishers.

ENDIVE SALAD WITH PEARS, ROQUEFORT AND WALNUTS AND DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To prepare vinaigrette, whisk together mustard and vinegar until well incorporated, add shallots and while whisking constantly slowly add the olive oil until all is emulsified into the mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside until needed. Combine the endives, pears, walnuts and Roquefort cheese in a medium bowl and toss. Place mixture in the middle of a plate and drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

ENDIVE AND GRAPE SALAD WITH PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the pear vinaigrette: Heat the pear juice on stovetop over medium heat to reduce to 1/4 of its original amount, for 40 minutes, until caramelized. Set aside and let cool.
• In a bowl, mix the reduced pear juice, cider vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Slowly add the canola oil whisking constantly. Season the vinaigrette with salt, and pepper, to taste. Add a little more pear juice or water if the vinaigrette is too thick. Set aside.
• For the salad:
• In a pan, add the olive oil and toast the pine nuts on medium-high heat. Keep an eye on them because they tend to burn fast.
• Place the endives and grapes in a bowl, add the vinaigrette and mix well. Transfer the salad mixture in the serving bowls and garnish with pears, pine nuts and cheese.

ENDIVE, PEAR, AND ROQUEFORT SALAD

Steps:

• Trim off the core end of each head of endive and slice it in half lengthwise. Cut out the cores, separate the leaves, and place 1 1/2 to 2 heads of endive on each plate.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, egg yolk, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Toss the pears with some vinaigrette and place on the endive. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the endive leaves to moisten them. Crumble the Roquefort onto the endive. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve at room temperature.

SALAD WITH VANILLA-PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Mix first three ingredients for salad. Drain pears, reserving 1/3 cup juice. Combine pears, juice, vinegar, and remaining ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Yields 2 cups.

VANILLA-PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Drain pears, reserving 1/3 cup pear juice.
• Combine pears, juice, vinegar, and remaining ingredients in a blender; process until smooth.

ENDIVE SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For dressing:
• Puree fresh lemon juice and chopped garlic in blender or food processor. With machine running, gradually add olive oil and blend until smooth. Add grated Parmesan cheese and blend until thickened. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover dressing tightly and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread bread slices with olivada. Place bread on cookie sheet. Bake until crisp and brown, about 10 minutes. Remove bread from oven and cool. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
• For salad:
• Combine greens in large bowl. Toss with vinaigrette dressing. Sprinkle salad with pine nuts and croutons and serve.