Red Pear Grape Pecan Salad Recipes

FENNEL-PEAR SALAD WITH GRAPES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon each dijon mustard and mayonnaise. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss with 1 thinly sliced pear, 1/2 thinly sliced fennel bulb and 1 cup each halved grapes and sliced celery. Top with chopped toasted pecans and some chopped fennel fronds.

ROQUEFORT PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces.
• For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper.
• In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

HOLIDAY POMEGRANATE, PEAR, AND GRAPE SALAD WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Make candied pecans.
• In a large bowl, toss together the pomegranate seeds, grapes, red onion, and the blue cheese.
• Divide torn lettuce leaves among 8 salad plates, and top each salad with the fruit mixture.
• Halve and core pears and cut into 1/2-inch slices-- put a pear half, skin side up, in the center of each salad.
• Arrange candied pecans around the pears.
• Just before serving, heat balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, cooking and stirring until brown sugar dissolves. Off the heat, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle warm dressing over each salad, sprinkle with orange zest, and serve right away.

PEAR AND GRAPE SALAD

Steps:

• If pears are fresh, they should be very ripe (dip in lemon juice immediately to prevent darkening).
• If pears are canned, drain well.
• Cut grapes in half, removing the seeds if necessary.
• Mix the cream cheese with the cream or mayonnaise.
• Place the pear, cut side down, on a plate.
• Cover the pear with the cream cheese mixture.
• Cover the surface of the pear with the grapes, placing the cut side down.
• Place a grape leaf on each salad plate.
• Place on pear decorated with grapes on each grape leaf, cut side down.
• The finished pear should resemble a bunch of grapes.
• Top with a dollop of mayonnaise if desired.

CHERRY, PEAR, AND PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine balsamic vinegar and cherry preserves for vinaigrette in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss mixed greens, pears, cherries, pecans, red onion, and vinaigrette in a large salad bowl.
• Evenly distribute salad among four individual salad bowls and top with Gorgonzola cheese.