Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

candied pecans, gorgonzola and pear salad

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Marsha Gardner
Florala, AL

Adding grilled or sliced roasted chicken to this salad makes it a main dish salad. I have listed two vinaigrette that I use on this particular salad. It is hard for me to decide which one I like better. Depends on my mood and what I am serving.

(2 ratings)
yield 8 serving(s)

Ingredients For candied pecans, gorgonzola and pear salad

  • 2
    heads hearts or romaine, washed, chopped and spun dry or 6 cups of mesculn or baby spinach or a mixture
  • 2
    d'anjou pears, red, green or one of each cored and chopped
  • 1/4 c
    red onion, sliced thin
  • 1/2 c
    gorgonzola cheese, crumbled or blue cheese
  • MAPLE CANDIED PECANS
  • 2/3 c
    pecans, (or walnuts)
  • 1 Tbsp
    butter, unsalted
  • 1 Tbsp
    real maple syrup
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • MAPLE VINAIGRETTE
  • 3/4 c
    olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1/4 c
    apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 c
    real maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp
    dijon mustard
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE
  • 1 Tbsp
    shallot, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp
    dijon mustard
  • 2 Tbsp
    sugar
  • 1 tsp
    garlic, minced
  • 1/2 c
    champagne wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 c
    canola oil
  • 3/4 tsp
    kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp
    freshly ground white pepper

How To Make candied pecans, gorgonzola and pear salad

  • 1
    CANDIED PECANS: Melt the butter in a pan. Mix in the maple syrup and pepper. Add the pecans and toss to coat. Cook on medium low heat about 15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn. Turn out on aluminum foil and let cool for 5 minutes; break apart if necessary.
  • 2
    TO MAKE EITHER DRESSING: Mix all ingredients in bowl using a wire whisk. Place greens on individual plates. Sprinkle red onion, chopped pears, nuts and gorgonzola on top of salad greens. Drizzle dressing over salad or serve on the side to suit individual tastes. Beautiful and delicious.
  • 3
    If serving as a meal, you can add grilled or sliced roasted chicken. Makes 4-6 main dish servings or 8-10 side dish servings.

Categories & Tags for Candied Pecans, Gorgonzola and Pear Salad:

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