Pear gorgonzola salad with candied pecans

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.

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 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.

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.

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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:

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