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Just like at your house I'm sure, there's been decorating, shopping, cooking, baking and all the usual pre-holiday hustle and bustle. On top of that, we've had birthdays to celebrate and family arriving from England. I don't know about you, but I've found myself having to operate at a little higher gear than usual: sometimes lately it seems like I've had to crank it into overdrive. Do you know what I mean?
No? Let me give you a little scenario that will explain precisely what I'm talking about. You see, it's exactly what happened as I created and prepared this delicious Roasted Pear Salad w/ Dried Cranberries, Gorgonzola, Sweet 'n Smoky Pistachios & Champagne-Honey Vinaigrette.
My husband was working from home one day earlier this week. I wanted to prepare something yummy for lunch since we'd been having so many quick and not-always-so-healthy meals on-the-go recently and lots of rich holiday food to boot. I started working on a salad that would be a light and special lunch that day, while at the same time, I could use it as a festive addition to one of our family Christmas meals.
I had some pretty pears, a bag of shelled pistachios and a wedge of creamy gorgonzola - it didn't take long for a fresh and fun salad to start evolving in my mind. A peek in the pantry revealed a bottle of champagne vinegar just crying to be used and that seemed to seal the deal.
I decided to roast and caramelize the pears for my lunch/holiday creation. So this is where the funny part comes in. In order to roast pears without them softening them too much and turning the lovely fruit to mush before they begin to caramelize, it's important to start with a very high oven temperature. As in 500˚F. high! Of course, it's crucial at this elevated temperature that you watch the pears like a hawk. They will go from beautifully golden and caramelized to horribly black and burned in no-time flat.
I'd gotten going in the kitchen early that morning; the pistachios were cooling on the counter, all golden and glistening, the dressing ingredients were sweetly melding in a pretty carafe and I was getting the pears ready to roast. Suddenly I realized I hadn't had my shower yet, oh my goodness. I popped the pears into the hot oven, set the timer for five minutes and flew (ran) upstairs. I warmed the shower water, stepped (jumped) in, washed and conditioned my hair (the conditioner was down to the dregs so I had to add water and shake it to get the last drops), washed the important parts, stepped (jumped) out, dried off, threw on my robe, combed my hair, rubbed cream on my face, ran down the steps and GUESS WHAT? I had 23 seconds left on the timer! "YES!", I said to myself, pumping my fist into the air. So, can you top that one? Do you understand now what I mean by "a higher gear"?
Anyway, I flipped the pears and within 15 minutes and a few more flips, the were emerging from the oven golden and beautifully caramelized. I was clean as a whistle and had only to dry my hair to be ready for the rest of the day.
We LOVED the salad and are looking forward to enjoying it again over the long holiday weekend. If you're looking for a light, delicious addition to one of your holiday meals, you've come to the right place! You can also make this a meal on its own by adding lean chicken, shrimp, pork, leftover steak or other protein.
Be sure to set a timer as you roast the pears! Oh, and don't be surprised at what you accomplish between the beeps!
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup Champagne vinegar I love the Trader Joe's Champagne vinegar
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Mix all ingredients in a glass jar. Shake well.
- 2 medium firm Anjou or Bartlett pears halved and cored and cut into ¼ inch slices
- 2 teaspoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 cups arugula*
- 4 cups butter lettuce* or use your favorite greens or whatever looks freshest at the market
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- ½ cup Sweet & Smokey Pistachios if you're in a hurry, just use shelled, salted, roasted pistachios from the market
- Champagne-Honey Vinaigrette recipe above
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Pre-heat oven to 500˚F. Line a sheet pan with heavy-duty foil and spray generously with cooking spray.
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Place pears on prepared sheet pan. Toss with the melted butter, oil and sugar. Spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 minutes then flip slices to other side. Continue to roast until tender and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes more. (Watch carefully, because at this temperature pears can easily burn!) Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
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For the salad, combine lettuces and arrange on 6 salad plates. Divide dried cranberries and gorgonzola evenly over the greens. Drizzle lightly with vinaigrette then scatter pistachios evenly over the salads. Pass extra dressing at the table.
You can use any combination of lettuces, but I think arugula and butter lettuce are especially nice. The deep green arugula is spicy and has a touch of delightful bitterness, the butter lettuce compliments it perfectly being pale green, sweet and mild.
Magic of Spice says
Nicely done 🙂 I love this salad and would enjoy it by the plates full 🙂
Happy Holidays!
Lizzy Do says
LOL, mine certainly would have burned, the fire department called b/c the smoke detector went off, and my hair would be wild all day due to no time to blow dry! This is the salad I've been waiting for...I'm bringing salad and dessert to a NYD pitch in...and this will be perfect! Merry Christmas, Chris!!! xo
Madonna says
I call that a high school gym class shower. You know the one you take before you have to be at your next class.
This salad looks so good. I think this one would be good after the holidays when we all have had too much of everything.
Valerie says
Impressive time-management skills! 😀
This salad looks delightful...just the sort of lite fare needed after all the heavy eating I've done (and will continue to do!).
motherrimmy says
I've never roasted pears before, but when I do, I think I'll skip the shower. I can totally picture burned pears emerging from my oven. Have a wonderful holiday!
Patty says
Beautiful salad;-)
This is a busy time of year-I like your quick shower story-willl have to remember that next time I turn on my kitchen timer;-)
Have a very Merry Christmas Chris;-)
Kate says
What energy! I know I would have had a few crispy pears! The salad looks lovely and sounds delicious...anything with gorgonzola has to be spectacular! 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy the holidays...
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Less than five minutes...I'm really impressed. I would have probably broken a leg with all the running and jumping...:) Lovely salad for the holidays or anytime.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Thanks Lora, hope you have a blessed Christmas! I'm not sure what happened with the printable recipe but I've fixed it so it should work. Let me know if there's a problem, Chris
Angie's Recipes says
Now that's a SALAD! I won't get tired of salads like this...full of flavours, texture and deliciousness.
Lora Johns says
What a hoot! This time of year forces us into challenges we probably should never try to repeat. Showers in less than 5 minutes are not too relaxing.
Did anyone else have the champagne vinaigrette not appear on the printable recipe version, or is my computer auto-editing again?
bellini says
A salad perfect for the holiday season. Enjoy!!!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
That is a super speedy shower Chris! I do that with the timer too actually. See how much I can get done...even with the kettle boiling. It's high-gear here too at the moment. I wish I could come up with such a healthy delicious lunch in amongst the madness.
Hovkonditorn says
The salad looks delicious! We women can be very effective and do many things at the same time! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
lena says
LOL! 5 minutes!! that's really ultra fast! I think lily would be laughing if she sees you in action! Merry christmas to you!
Amelia says
Hi Chris, love your high gear humour. 🙂
Your salad sure look appetizing and beautiful combination. Love the color. Excellent click!
Have a nice week ahead,regards.
Sue/the view from great island says
I wouldn't even TRY to top that one, Chris! I'm amazed that you can get this gorgeous salad made, let alone photographed, with all you've got going on!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
You are to funny! You took a shower and put cream on your face in less then 5 minutes? I bow down to you!! I can take a 5 minute shower no problem, but there is no way I can put cream on and have time to throw a robe on and run down the stairs! My pears would have burned! You are good!! Your salad looks and sounds amazing! I have pears and all the ingredients for the salad, thik I'm going to try this for my luncnh tomorrow!! Happy Holidays!!
Cuisine de Provence says
That's what I call multitasking....
Susan says
What a beautiful salad and fun story to go with it. It is soooo obvious that you are so much younger than I am...ha ha. I would have never been able to accomplish that. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Patti says
Another awesome-sounding salad recipe from the Cafe! I look forward to trying this.
I cannot imagine taking that quick of a shower. In these cold, winter months, when the hot water feels SO heavenly, the ONLY thing that can get me out of the shower in less than 12 minutes is if the waters goes cold!!
Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas.
Love,
Patti
The Mom Chef says
Oh my, that looks good. I wish I could just look around my cupboards and find things that come together that deliciously.
Pondside says
Well done - the salad looks wonderful and you were ready for the rest of the day. High gear indeed!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Oh my goodness, Chris! You were having quite the productive morning :).
I often make a similar salad this time of year but have never tried caramelizing the pears - now you've inspired me! 🙂
Maria says
Oh my, that looks delicious. After eating sweets nonstop since Thanksgiving, my body is screaming for healthier fare. I think I'll try this salad after picking up a few things at the Farmer's Market on Sunday.