Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
This Pear and Blue Cheese Salad features fresh pears topped with blue cheese dressing and almonds for a balance of both sweet and savory.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup slivered almonds
For the dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup low-fat sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 ounces blue cheese crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons milk or cream
For the assembled salad:
- 4 fresh pears core removed, sliced
- Lettuce
- 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
Toast the Almonds:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Place the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Check after about 6 minutes and watch closely to prevent burning.1 cup slivered almonds
- Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Make the Dressing
- Combine the yogurt, sour cream, lemon juice, blue cheese, salt and pepper in a small bowl.½ cup Greek yogurt, ½ cup low-fat sour cream, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 ounces blue cheese, Salt and pepper
- Stir until well combined. Add enough milk or cream to create the consistency of dressing you prefer. Set aside.4 tablespoons milk or cream
Assemble the Salad:
- Halve the pears, remove the core, and slice crosswise.4 fresh pears
- For each serving, transfer a sliced pear to a lettuce-lined salad plate. .Lettuce
- Drizzle with dressing.
- Sprinkle with toasted almonds and additional crumbled blue cheese4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
Notes
- Choose the right pears: Use firm pears such as Bosc or Anjou. Slightly underripe fruit works best since it holds its shape and texture when sliced.
- Blue cheese dressing tip: For the best flavor, use a good-quality blue cheese and allow the dressing to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the flavors can meld.
- Make ahead guidance: Prepare the dressing and slice the pears in advance, but store separately. Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
- Ingredient substitutions: If blue cheese is too strong, substitute with goat cheese, feta, or shaved Parmesan for a milder flavor.
- Storage: Store leftover components separately when possible. Once dressed, the salad is best eaten immediately. Undressed greens and pears can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 693mg | Potassium: 676mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 597IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 475mg | Iron: 2mg
