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30 minute meals As seen on Instagram Gluten Sensitive Low Carb Recipe Index Salads and Sides Vegetarian

Little Gem Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

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This Little Gem, Pear and Gorgonzola Salad is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Delicate Little Gem lettuce topped with perfectly sweet, Forelle pears, creamy Gorgonzola, toasted walnut pieces, bacon and finished with my White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. It’s a feast for the eyes and mouth.

Little gem pear Gorgonzola on white platter with white napkin

These beautiful little Forelle pears are in season for a short time, September through January according to USApears.org. Fun fact is that these pears date back to the 1600’s in Germany and is believed to have been introduced into the United States in 1800’s. If you can’t find these, ripe Bosc pears work beautifully with this salad also. But when these cuties are in season, I encourage you to try them as their taste is delicately sweet.

Let’s Prepare and assemble this Little Gem, Pear and Gorgonzola salad

This salad comes together very quickly. I highly suggest a honey mustard or a Balsamic vinaigrette type dressing for this. Our White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette is absolutely perfection on this mix of salty, sweet and crisp. The recipe for the dressing is included in the recipe card below.

closeup of little gem pear and gorgonzola salad with bacon bits and dressing
  1. Carefully cut the Little Gem lettuce heads into quarters. Carefully rinse and place cut side down onto kitchen towels.
  2. Make White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.
  3. Cook Bacon to package directions. Cook extra crispy as you want to add the bacon as a topping. Once cooled, crumble or chop into small pieces.
  4. Gorgonzola comes in a block or crumbles, if you have purchased a block of cheese, crumble and set aside.
  5. In a small skillet, preheat over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add walnut pieces and sauté until toasted. Typically about 5 minutes. The walnuts pieces will impart the a slightly toasted smell when they are ready. Remove from heat and from skillet and allow to cool. Set aside.
  6. Pat dry Little gem lettuce removing all excess water. Arrange on platter.
  7. If using Forelles, cut into quarters, remove seeds and arrange on top of lettuce. If using full size Bosc pears, cut in half, core and then slice into thin slices and arrange on top of lettuce.
  8. Top with crumbled Gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and crumbled bacon.
  9. Finish with White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.
  10. Serve immediately.

Substitutions

Can I use another fruit?

Apples work beautifully with this salad. Also strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are amazing in this mix.

What other cheeses work with this recipe?

Asiago and blue cheese work well with this salad. Even an aged Parmesano Reggiano works really well cut into small chunks.

Can I make this in advance?

Yes, but slice/chop the pears right before serving otherwise they will oxidize and brown.

What other lettuce works for this salad?

Tender lettuces work best such as Little Gem, Butter and baby or Spring mix.

Inspired by this recipe? Make sure to mention us or tag us on Instagram or Pin this recipe for later.  All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

square image of little gem pear and gorgonzola salad with serving utensils

Little Gem Pear and Gorgonzola Salad + White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Ana | Claudia’s Table
This Little Gem, Pear and Gorgonzola Salad is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Delicate Little Gem lettuce topped with perfectly sweet, Forelle pears, creamy Gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, bacon and finished with my White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Assembling 5 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, gluten free
Servings 4
Calories 326 kcal

Equipment

  • jar or bottle with lid
  • Platter

Ingredients
  

Dressing

  • 1 tbsp shallot minced
  • 2 tbsp White Balsamic Vinegar
  • 6 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp honey raw or regular
  • salt and pepper to taste

Salad

  • 2 whole Little Gem lettuce or Half large head of Butter lettuce or baby lettuces
  • 2 cups Forelle pears, cored and quartered (about 2-3) OR Bosc, Red pears, cored and sliced
  • 2 slices Bacon cooked to package directions, extra crispy
  • 1/4 cup Gorgonzola crumbled
  • 1/4 cup Walnut pieces toasted

Instructions
 

Dressing

  • In a jar, combine shallot and vinegar and allow to macerate for 5 minutes.
  • Add remainder of ingredients and shake until fully combined.
  • Any leftover salad dressing will keep up to a week in the refrigerator.

Prepping and assembling salad

  • Carefully cut the Little Gem lettuce heads into quarters. Carefully rinse and place cut side down onto kitchen towels. 
  • Make dressing.
  • Cook Bacon to package directions. Cook extra crispy as you want to add the bacon as a topping. Once cooled, crumble or chop into small pieces. 
  • Gorgonzola comes in a block or crumbles, if you have purchased a block of cheese, crumble and set aside. 
  • In a small skillet, preheat over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add walnut pieces and sauté until toasted. Typically about 5 minutes. The walnuts will impart the a slightly toasted smell when they are ready. Remove from heat and from skillet and allow to cool. Set aside.
  • Pat dry Little gem lettuce removing all excess water. Arrange on platter. 
  • If using Forelles, cut into quarters, remove seeds and arrange on top of lettuce. If using full size Bosc pears, cut in half, core and then slice and arrange on top of lettuce.
  • Top with crumbled, Gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and crumbled bacon.
  • Finish with White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. 
  • Serve immediately. 

Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 2wedgesCalories: 326kcal

Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.

Keyword easy salad dressing, fall salad, honey mustard dressing, pear and gorgonzola, salad dressing

All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

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I'm so happy to share what's on our table most days. My California inspired food recipes are simple and full of fresh flavor. It is my hope that you will find something new to try and share with your family and friends. Enjoy! Read More…

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