Description

This elegant Vertical Pear Blue Cheese Salad is a visually stunning and flavorful dish that combines ripe pears, tangy blue cheese, crunchy candied nuts, and dried cranberries layered with fresh baby greens. The salad is dressed with a honey-Dijon balsamic glaze dressing, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart flavors. Ideal for a sophisticated appetizer or a light meal, this salad is quick to prepare and sure to impress guests with its artistic presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

2 ripe but firm pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup chopped candied walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 cups mixed baby greens or arugula

Dressing

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze or reduction
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Pears: Slice a thin piece off the bottom of each pear to ensure it can stand upright securely. Carefully slice each pear vertically into 4–5 even layers and set them aside.
Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic glaze, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined to create a smooth dressing.
Toss Greens: Gently toss the baby greens with half of the prepared dressing to lightly coat and infuse flavors.
Assemble Salad: Place the bottom pear slice on a plate as the base. Layer some dressed greens, crumbled blue cheese, chopped candied nuts, and dried cranberries on top. Continue to layer each subsequent pear slice with these ingredients, rebuilding the pear vertically into a beautiful tower. Repeat this assembly with the second pear.
Finish and Serve: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top of the pear stacks and around the plate. Serve immediately to maintain the structural integrity and freshness of the salad.

Notes

For a milder cheese flavor, substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or feta.
Add sliced prosciutto or grilled chicken to make the salad more filling and protein-rich.
This salad is best served immediately to keep the pear stack stable and fresh.