Tuscan Pear Salad Food

TUSCAN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until beans are slightly tender. Transfer the cooked green beans to a bowl of ice water and let cool for 3 minutes. Drain the green beans.
• In a large bowl, combine the green beans with the lettuce, cannellini beans, olives, and red onion. Toss to combine. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Top with shaved Parmesan and serve.

ASIAN PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the Asian pear, radicchio, baby greens, blue cheese, and pecans.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar (or honey), pinch of salt, and a few good grinds of pepper.
• Add the shallots to the vinaigrette then set aside.
• When serving, dress the greens lightly, season to taste, and serve immediately.

MASCARPONE, GORGONZOLA AND POACHED PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• The salad leaves (for serving) can be anything you want but rocket and lambs lettuce would be nice.
• The mascarpone needs to be at room temperature and the Gorgonzola cut into 2 cm cubes.
• Cut the chill in half.
• Chop the basil, chives and spring onions and put to one side.
• Thinly pare the zest from the two lemons.
• The pears should be firm cooking pears such as Comice.
• Peel the pears but leave the stalks on and keep them whole.
• You will need a saucepan just large enough to hold the pears.
• Put the chili, rosemary, bay leaf, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, lemon zest and juice, sugar, honey and the red wine into the saucepan.
• Bring to the boil then simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the pears to the pan and some water ONLY if needed to just cover the pears, bring back to the boil and simmer for about 40 minutes - or until the pears are cooked.
• When you can easily insert a knife through the pears they are done. The cooking time will depend on the size, how ripe the pears are and the variety of pear.
• The liquid should be a spicy syrup.
• When done, remove the pears with a slotted spoon, place gently on a plate to cool - Not the serving plates at the stage.
• Now gently mix the mascarpone and Gorgonzola together and then stir in the basil, chives and spring onions.
• Arrange some salad leaves on 6 serving plates and place a pear on each.
• Add a spoonful of the cheese and a little of the spicy syrup and serve.

COLORFUL TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until serving. Stir in basil. Serve with a slotted spoon.

TUSCAN BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Toast bread slices under broiler for about 4 minutes on each side.
• Remove slices and rub with garlic cloves.
• Prepare dressing by whisking ingredients together in a small bowl, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Cut bread slices into small cubes and add them to a serving bowl.
• Next add the tomatoes, beans, roasted pepper and basil.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
• Let salad rest about 5-10 minutes before serving.

TUSCAN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.
• Combine dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.
• Just before serving, shake dressing again and pour over salad. Toss to coat salad.

APPLE PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine all salad ingredients.
• Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss lightly.
• In a small bowl, combine all dressings ingredients and blend well.
• Pour over fruit, tossing lightly to coat.
• Refrigerate to blend flavors.

CARAMELISED PEAR, CAMEMBERT AND ROCKET SALAD

Steps:

• Place the bread onto a lined baking tray and brush with half the combined oil and garlic. Cook under a grill for 2-3 minutes until golden. Turn and brush with remaining oil mixture and grill until golden.
• Heat butter and sugar in a small non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add pears and sauté for 2-3 minutes until light golden.
• Arrange rocket, camembert, toasts and pears onto a serving platter. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.