Roquefort Pear Salad

This is the best salad I've ever eaten and I make it all the time. It is tangy from the blue cheese, fruity from the pears, and crunchy from the caramelized pecans. The mustard vinaigrette pulls it all together.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 426 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons white sugar
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ½ cup pecans
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
• fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 ½ teaspoons prepared mustard
• 1 head leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
• 3 pears - peeled, cored and chopped
• 5 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper.

Step 3

In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.