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Best Maple Roasted Pear & Walnut Salad

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A simple yet stunning fall salad featuring warm roasted pears, crunchy toasted walnuts, and creamy blue cheese over mixed greens with a maple-Dijon dressing. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large firm but ripe pears (Bosc or Bartlett)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup blue cheese, crumbled (Gorgonzola or Roquefort)
  • 5 cups mixed greens (arugula and baby spinach recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • Flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Wash and dry pears. Cut in half lengthwise, remove core, and slice each half into 4-5 wedges about 1/2-inch thick.
  3. In a medium bowl, toss pear wedges with 2 tablespoons maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Arrange in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, cut side up if possible.
  4. Roast for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and caramelized. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  5. While pears roast, toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  6. Make dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified.
  7. In a large bowl, add mixed greens and toss with half the dressing.
  8. Top with roasted pears, toasted walnuts, crumbled blue cheese, and dried cranberries if using. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
  9. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt and serve immediately.

Notes

For dairy-free, omit blue cheese and add toasted pumpkin seeds. For extra protein, add grilled chicken or roasted chickpeas. The dressing can be made a day ahead and improves with time.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple roasted pear salad, pear walnut salad, fall salad, blue cheese salad, roasted pear salad, easy salad recipe

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/best-maple-roasted-pear-and-walnut-salad/