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Fresh Pear and Gorgonzola Salad: Easy Homemade Recipe with Toasted Walnuts

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A vibrant salad featuring sweet ripe pears, tangy Gorgonzola cheese, and crunchy toasted walnuts, tossed with mixed greens and a simple vinaigrette. Perfect for entertaining or a quick, healthy meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, red leaf lettuce), washed and dried
  • 2 ripe but firm pears (Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou), thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 3 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted and roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)
  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place walnut halves in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool, then roughly chop.
  2. Wash and dry pears. Cut into quarters, remove core, then slice thinly (about 1/8 inch thick). Drizzle slices with lemon juice and gently toss.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. In a large salad bowl, add mixed salad greens. Scatter pear slices evenly over the top, followed by crumbled Gorgonzola. Sprinkle on cooled, toasted walnuts and, if using, dried cranberries.
  5. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad. Use tongs or clean hands to gently toss everything together, being careful not to overmix.
  6. Finish with a final crack of black pepper and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Add extra Gorgonzola and walnuts on top for presentation, if desired.

Notes

For best texture, use firm, just-ripe pears and toast walnuts carefully to avoid burning. Dress the salad just before serving to keep greens crisp. For nut-free, substitute pumpkin or sunflower seeds. For vegan, use plant-based blue cheese or omit cheese. Dried cranberries and alternative fruits like apples or pomegranate seeds can be added for variety.

Nutrition

Keywords: pear salad, gorgonzola, walnuts, easy salad, holiday salad, vegetarian, gluten-free, vinaigrette, mixed greens, healthy salad

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