Roasted Pear Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese

Recipe for Roasted Pear Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese

Ingredients:

4 cups arugula, washed and dried
4 oz. creamy blue cheese, like Saint Agur French Triple Cream, divided into small chunks
2 ripe red or green pears, cored and cut into equal-size wedges
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp. high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange pear slices on sheet, leaving space in between to prevent overcrowding.

Lightly brush each pear slice with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Place in the oven and roast for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from oven and flip each pear slice. Return to the oven and continue roasting until evenly browned and soft; approximately 10 – 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Keep an eye on the pears the first time you make this salad as oven roasting times will vary.

3. Add 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until the liquid begins to boil.

Reduce heat to simmer and continue stirring until liquid is reduced to 1/3 of its original volume. Liquid will become thick and syrupy when it is ready.

4. Divide arugula, roasted pear slices, and blue cheese among 4 plates. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil.

5. Serve with fresh-cracked black pepper and sea salt, if desired.

Additional Info:

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 20 – 45 minutes
Serves: 4

This roasted pear salad is another example of simple ingredients yielding outstanding results.

You don’t need much else when you combine the peppery taste of fresh arugula, the distinctive taste of a creamy blue cheese, and the sweetness of roasted pears. Adding a drizzle of rich balsamic glaze just before serving makes for an incredible salad.

Enjoy this Roasted Pear Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese!