Pear Walnut Dressing Food

ITALIAN WINTER GREENS WITH PEAR-WALNUT DRESSING

Steps:

• In a medium-sized saute pan add the sliced shallots with a drizzle of oil and slowly cook over medium heat until well caramelized, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the diced pear and cook down until pulpy.
• Carefully add the pear mixture to a blender along with the verjus, honey, 1/2 cup grapeseed oil, salt and pepper, to taste. Puree until smooth adding a little water to thin if necessary; it should be the consistency of a thick vinaigrette. Set aside in the refrigerator to cool.
• Wash all the greens and remove the stems. Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces and dry well. In a large bowl or platter add the leaves and toss. Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss gently. Garnish with Parmesan, toasted walnuts and pear slices.

PEAR-WALNUT SALAD WITH ARTISAN BLEU CHEESE

Steps:

• In a salad bowl, lightly toss the greens with the pears.
• In a small non-reactive bowl, combine the honey and lemon juice. Whisk with the salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the the greens and pears and toss .
• Arrange the salad on six individual salad plates.
• Garnish with the walnuts and bleu cheese.
• Easy!

PEAR & WALNUT SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Assemble salad.
• Enjoy!

PEAR, DATE & WALNUT SALAD WITH CREAMY STILTON DRESSING

Steps:

• Cut the pear quarters into thin slices and toss in a bowl with the lime juice to help protect their natural colour. Blend the crème fraîche with half the stilton, ginger syrup to taste, and enough water (3-4 tbsp) to give a smooth, thick coating consistency. (Don't add too much water or it may separate.)
• Scatter the pear slices over six serving plates and follow with the walnuts, dates and remaining cheese. Can be prepared to this stage up to an hour ahead.
• Drizzle each salad with a little of the dressing and some walnut oil. Season with a grinding of pepper - you shouldn't need salt, as the cheese is salty. Mix the salad leaves and watercress very lightly with just a bit more dressing - some leaves should be touched by the dressing, some untouched. Gently pile the leaves on top of each salad.

PEAR & BLUE CHEESE WALNUT SALAD W/ PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Halve and core the pears. Slice thin, brush with lemon juice to prevent browning. This may be done up to 60 minutes ahead.
• To arrange the salads: line plates with salad greens.
• Fan pear slices atop each serving.
• Sprinkle with some blue cheese and candied nuts.
• Drizzle with dressing. Serve extra on the side.
• CANDIED WALNUTS / PECANS.
• Line a baking sheet with foil. Butter or spray with a nonstick oil.
• In a heavy skillet, over medium heat, combine: 1 C walnuts, 1/2 C sugar and 2 T butter.
• Cook until sugar starts to melt, DO NOT stir. Reduce heat to low and cook 'til sugar is golden brown. Stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and pour onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into clusters.
• PEAR NECTAR VINAIGRETTE.
• In a screw top jar, combine:
• white wine vinegar, oil, pear nectar, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper.
• Cover and shake well.
• Store in refrigerator for up to one week.
• Shake before serving.
• Makes about 1°C.

BABY SPINACH, PEAR AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the honey and vinegar in a medium bowl and stir until well combined; cut the pears lenghtways into 1cm-thick pieces and toss in the honey mixture.
• Cook the pears on a heated, oiled grill pan or BBQ hotplate on one side for 1 minute or until golden; remove and set aside to cool.
• Toss the walnuts in the remaining honey and balsamic vinegar mixture, and cook on a heated oiled grill pan, turning frequently, for 2 minutes or until golden brown; set aside to cool.
• FETA DRESSING: Place the milk and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to the boil; remove and cool; discard the rosemary; place the feta in a medium bowl and gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time until it forms a smooth paste, whik in the oil and season to taste.
• SERVING: Place the pears and walnuts in a large bowl, add the baby spinach leaves and chives, pour over the feta dressing, toss well and serve.
• NOTES: Corella pears are named after the colourful Australian Corella parrot. They are a type of pear which was first developed by the German settlers who settled the Barossa Valley, in South Australia, in the 1840s. Corella pears are soft skinned, golden and red: really beautiful. As my mother said, they look as if they belong in a still life painting. They lose this colour when cooked, but they come out a beautiful golden brown, and they are so, so deliciously sweet. if you are familiar with Fuji apples, in taste and appearance, they are their cousins. I'm planning to make this salad next time with half Corella pears and half Fuji apples.

PEAR & WALNUT SALAD W/CREAMY BLEU (BLUE) CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream and lemon juice until smooth.
• Fold in the bleu cheese crumbles and add salt and pepper.
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Tear a combination of the romaine and red leaf lettuce into individual serving bowls or onto plates and top with the bleu cheese dressing.
• Place the pear slices on top of the dressing and finish each salad with the glazed walnuts and a sprinkling of cranberries.