Grilled Pear and Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts
This Grilled Pear and Arugula Salad is a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, featuring caramelized pears, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts atop a bed of peppery arugula, all drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
Equipment
- Grill
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Salad Tongs
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 ripe pears, cored and sliced into wedges (approx. 350g)
- 4 cups fresh arugula (approx. 120g)
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles (approx. 60g)
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (approx. 50g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (15ml)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the pear slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking and to enhance caramelization.
- Place the pear slices on the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until you have nice grill marks and the pears are slightly softened.
- Remove the pears from the grill and set aside.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped walnuts until they are golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine the grilled pear slices, arugula, blue cheese crumbles, and toasted walnuts.
- Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the balsamic vinegar over the salad. Toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Notes
If you don't have a grill, a grill pan on the stove works just as well.
Feel free to use a store-bought balsamic reduction for added depth of flavor without the extra work.
For a nut-free version, substitute the walnuts with pumpkin seeds or croutons for added crunch.
This salad serves beautifully as a starter for a Mediterranean-themed dinner or as a light, standalone lunch.