Friday, September 26, 2014

Toasted Walnut, Pear & Blue Cheese Salad with a Balsamic Reduction

I think I need to eat more salads.  I’m quite poor with experimenting with them and NEED to work on different combinations!! I always end up eating the same old boring salads-lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, blah blah…you get the idea.  Not very exciting, kind like my life….the same old thing every day!  I think I need a holiday...next month!  I can’t wait to go down south with my twin!

This combination is absolutely perfect.  I can’t say that I would change a single thing-everything works so well together.  The blue cheese doesn’t overpower the salad, which I was afraid that it might. The pear adds a nice refreshing taste and a balsamic reduction adds some tangy sweetness to this dish.  If you have any reservations about this dish, don’t.  It’s perfect!

Toasted Walnut, Pear & Blue Cheese Salad with a Balsamic Reduction

Makes 2 large salads

INGREDIENTS

balsamic reduction:

1 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

4 -5 cups mixed greens

½ cup walnuts, toasted

½ cup maple bacon, cooked & chopped into small pieces

1 pear, seeded and sliced thinly

1 tablespoon blue cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS

balsamic reduction:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix together the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Stir constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer until the glaze is reduced by half, approximately 10-20 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.

Divide the mixed greens between the two plates. Arrange the walnuts, bacon, pear slices over the mixed greens. Top with blue cheese and the balsamic reduction. Serve and enjoy!

Source: adapted from Will Cook for Friends