There's something about adding sauteed pears to a salad that makes it seem quite fancy (so go ahead and serve this at your next dinner party!). But, truth be told, this salad is really simple to make (so go ahead and serve this to your husband on a weeknight)! Something really yummy happens when pears, blue cheese & walnuts are combined! This combination also makes a great sandwich- but, I'll save that for another post! :)
Dressing (you do not need to use all the dressing at once- just use what you need and save the rest for another salad):
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/3 c. white wine vinegar
1 Tbl Dijon mustard
1 Tbl fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
1 c. extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Salad:
1 head of butter leaf lettuce, trimmed, rinsed and cut up into bite sized pieces
1 Tbl. olive oil
1 large ripe Anjou pear, thinly sliced
1/2 c. chopped walnuts OR sliced almond (your pick your nut- I think they both taste great)
2 to 4 Tbl crumbled blue cheese (use as much or as little as you like!)
Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a small tupperware with a tight fitting lid. Shake shake shake till all the ingredients are nicely combined. Set aside.
Put 1 Tbl olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute sliced pears in olive oil for approx. 4 to 5 minutes on each side.**
In a large mixing bowl combine chopped butter lettuce and nuts. Dress with dressing and plate the salad. Evenly top each salad with pears and blue cheese. This makes two large salads. Enjoy the fanciness!
**Of course, if you are pressed for time, just use thinly sliced RAW pear (keep the skins on!)- still tastes great and gives an extra crunch!
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