This all began for me in the produce section. I turned the corner to grab a bunch of pears when I spotted these cute little tiny Forelles! I couldn’t resist. When the checkout girl asked me if they were good, I just shrugged my shoulders and said, “I have no idea. I just bought them because they are adorable.” That pretty much sums up how I shop!
Forelle pears are small, creamy and very sweet. They are best eaten raw and because of their size, perfect for a salad. They are in peak season right now. Buy them when they are firm and greenish. Leave them out on your counter for a few days and they will become a bit golden with flecks of red. Eat them while they still have some firmness to them. Once they get soft (if they give to gentle pressure) they become a bit too mushy for my taste.
You’ve seen this pairing a lot. Pear, blue cheese, walnuts and cranberries. Not the most original salad I’ve ever made, but once I read that Forelles have an undertone of cinnamon, I knew what I wanted to do with the dressing. The dressing is made with a bit of pure, sweet maple syrup. It’s pretty spectacular. The maple compliments the pears so well and gives the dressing a richness without being overpoweringly sweet.
So, I may have terrible shopping skills, but sometimes, like this…it pays off.
Forelle Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
8 cups mixed baby greens
4 – 5 Forelle pears, cut into eighths and cored
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
1 cup walnuts, coarsly chopped and toasted
1 cup dried cranberries (substitute dried cherries if you like)
Maple Vinaigrette
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
On four large dinner plates, divide the salad ingredients in the order listed.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing.
Pour some over each salad and serve.
Serves 4 large dinner size salads
I love your blog. You sound like such a nice person! Your photography is wonderful. I am about to make your Apple pie smoothie for a night time snack. Thanks for sharing!
Sheri, you are the sweetest! Really. Thank you so much for your sweet words. I love that you made that smoothie as your evening snack! Such a great way to satisfy that night time sweet tooth!
Just made this dressing. Annnnd I love it.
Whooohooo! I’m so happy!
Thanksgiving Salad!!!! I love the maple dressing!!! The pears are adorable — I also buy things because they are super cute. I need to stop blog reading while I am hungry and about to grocery shop. My wallet is gonna feel this shopping trip :)
This salad and your photos are really lovely! Why do I forget how great that combination of pears, walnuts and blue cheese is? I’m on my own for dinner tonight and just stocked up on walnuts at Trader’s – this has my name on it. I don’t have Forelle pears (too bad, because they are my second fave after Comice…), but will indulge just the same. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Karen! I love this combination too. I made it again last night and didn’t have pears either. I used some honeycrisp apples and it was wonderful! So glad you stopped in!
Ah, we are kindred spirits – to buy a food just because it’s adorable – I totally get that! Plus, my kids and I just love trying new, fun produce and analyzing if it’s good or way over-hyped! I don’t really like mushy pears, either, so I really appreciate the excellent tips on ripening and storing the pears – great info! Awesome, stunning photos and a fantastic recipe (maple vinagirette!?!? I’m in!) – another fantastic post, my friend! So fabulous! :D
So glad to hear it’s not just me, Shelley! And yeah…the maple makes the dressing awesome…I could drink that stuff! :) Your sweet comments always make my day!
The pear and blue cheese salad looks wonderful can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Mom! You’ll get to try it for Thanksgiving! XO
Gorgeous! I love pears in salads!
Thank you so much Anna! I agree…this is my favorite way to eat pears!
Che meravigliosa insalata! Fresca, leggera e molto molto invitante!
Baci
Elli
You are so sweet Elli! I’m so glad you like this! Your message made my day! :)
This looks delicious and will make a nice change from the warm kale salads I’ve been eating like they’re going out of style lately!
Oooh, warm kale salad sounds delicious too, Sarah! So glad you like this! Thanks for stopping in!