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You are here: Home / Side dishes / Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans

Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans

September 13, 2016 by Caroline's Cooking 6 Comments

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This pear gorgonzola salad is easy to make and has great flavors. Plus don’t miss the healthier candied pecans. It makes a delicious side salad or make a big old bowl for lunch.

Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans - quick to make, only a few ingredients but full of so much flavor.

Pears are something that we all enjoy – both of my sons love them as snacks, as do I. While we are pretty seasonal with many things, pears are something we will eat year round.

I like them in salads as well and the flavors of this pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans feels fairly fall-like so it seemed fitting to share it now, although I would happily eat it any time of year. It’s quick and easy to make, particularly if you make the pecans ahead, and makes a great side or lunch.

Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans

Pear and gorgonzola are a common pairing, for good reason, and I love using beets in salads as well (like my beet apple salad and winter beet salad). The addition of the candied pecans in this salad makes it feel almost indulgent.

However these pecans are a pretty healthy version. Plus, you can made them ahead so this pear gorgonzola salad is super-speedy to put together when you want it.

Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans

How to make healthier candied pecans

The candied pecans are really quick to make – all you do is:

  • Dry-toast the pecans in a skillet.
  • Drizzle the maple syrup over them and quickly toss.
  • Tip them on some parchment paper and let them cool.

You can keep them in a sealed box for a few weeks and use them on a whole range of things, such as this salad or as I have a few times, on top of my banana oatmeal.

Putting together the pear gorgonzola salad

The rest is as simple as chopping the pear and beets, whisking the oil, vinegar and maple syrup and putting it all together.

This pear gorgonzola salad is so easy to make and has a delicious sweet-savory balance. It makes a great side salad to a broad range of dishes, or make a big old bowl for lunch. So quick, so tasty, it makes a fantastic but easy change from your average salad.

Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans

Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans - quick to make, only a few ingredients but full of so much flavor.
Print
Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
8 mins
 

An easy salad full of delicious textures and flavors.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fall recipe, healthier candied pecans, salad with gorgonzola and pear
Servings: 2
Calories: 288 kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking
Ingredients
For candied pecans
  • 1/4 cup pecans 30g
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
For rest of salad
  • 1/2 pear
  • 1 beetroot or 2 small, roasted or otherwise pre-cooked, peeled
  • 2 handfuls arugula rocket
  • 1 oz gorgonzola 30g (approx)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
For candied pecans (can make ahead)
  1. First prepare a baking sheet or other flat surface with some parchment paper. Toast the pecan halves or pieces in a dry skillet/frying pan for a couple minutes until they are starting to smell slightly toasted. Drizzle over the 1tsp maple syrup and toss the nuts so they are covered. 

  2. Tip them on to the parchment and spread out so they are separated then leave to cool. The nuts can be made a week or two ahead and stored in an airtight container.

For salad
  1. Remove the core from the pear then cut into slices and dice the beetroot.

  2. Place the arugula in the bottom of your serving bowl/bowls, top with the beetroot, pear and crumbled gorgonzola.
  3. Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and maple syrup and drizzle over the top then top with some pecans.
Nutrition Facts
Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans
Amount Per Serving
Calories 288 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 238mg 10%
Potassium 368mg 11%
Total Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 17g
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin A 11.7%
Vitamin C 8.4%
Calcium 13.3%
Iron 5.2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Try these other salads perfect for fall/winter:

This winter beet salad has only 5 ingredients but is full of great flavors from earthy beets to fragrant persimmon, topped with a delicious creamy goats cheese dressing.
winter beet salad with goats cheese dressing
fennel citrus salad
fennel citrus salad

Remember to pin for later!
Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans - quick to make, only a few ingredients but full of flavor. Plus a healthier version of candied pecans to go on top making this a great healthy side or lunch.

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Filed Under: Side dishes Tagged With: arugula, gorgonzola, pear, pecans, salad

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Comments

  1. Petra says

    September 14, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Pears and gorgonzola is a marriage made in heaven and you made it even better with your delicious sounding pecan nuts! I have always preferred pecans to walnuts and I have to try these, I am inspired. 🙂

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      September 15, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks Petra, I hope you enjoy! Those candied pecans are really tasty and so much healthier than most versions.

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    September 16, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Pear is one of my favorite additions to salads!
    The maple pecans are a real treat!
    Thanks
    Michelle

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      September 18, 2016 at 7:11 pm

      Thanks Michelle, the maple pecans are so tasty, and I agree pears are great in salads.

      Reply
  3. Natalie says

    September 17, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    A great salad always has a nice mix of sweet, savoury and crunchy. This one looks delicious and one I would happily devour again and again. Thanks for sharing it at Fiesta Friday. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      September 18, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Natalie, I agree a nice balance is always good and this definitely has that. Enjoy!

      Reply

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Caroline's Cooking

Welcome! I'm Caroline and this is where I share recipes inspired by travels, places I want to go, or just ideas from feeding the family. Most recipes are easy to make and healthier, but there are treats too! Read More…

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