Warm Caramelized Pear and Asparagus Salad
Warm Caramelized Pear and Asparagus Salad
Brookie called me a couple of weeks ago and told me she made the most wonderful salad for dinner. I knew the boys would not be thrilled about a Warm Caramelized Pear and Asparagus Salad, so I threw it together one night when it was just me and the doggie at home. Since Jack is not generally interested in greens, I was able to have the entire salad to myself. Oh my goodness. So simple. So delicious. Sweet, savory. You know how I feel about that combo. Incredible. You have to try this.
Warm Caramelized Pear and Asparagus Salad
 

Warm Caramelized Pear and Asparagus Salad

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Author: Si Foster
adapted from Season with Spice

Ingredients 

  • 2 Bosc pears – cored and cut into 1/2 inch wedges
  • 1 lb of asparagus, tough ends snapped off
  • A handful of pecans or walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon sugar, optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh spinach
  • Crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese, optional

Vinaigrette:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • Dash of cayenne pepper
  • Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients for the vinaigrette and set aside.
  • In a large skillet or frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add pear wedges and cook for a minute over medium heat (turn wedges over once). Using tongs, move the pears to one side of pan. Add asparagus to pan and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add nuts and cook for another minute until the asparagus is just tender and pear is softened and browned on the edges. Remove from heat and place on top of spinach on serving platter or individual salad plates. If you would like the nuts to be sweetened, sprinkle a little sugar on top of the walnuts or pecans.
  • Crumble cheese on top if using. Drizzle a small amount of dressing on top of each salad.
  • Serve warm.
  • Serves about 4-6

Notes

-Prepare all of the ingredients before starting to cook. This recipe comes together quickly and it is best to have everything ready so the salad may be served warm.
– Depending on the firmness of the pears and asparagus, cooking time may vary. You may need to turn the heat up a bit to medium-high heat to get the pear to caramelize.
-I left the cheese off and loved this salad. I think goat cheese would be best and add a little creamy tang to the salad.
-Adding sugar to the nuts is optional- I added about a teaspoon at the end of cooking.
-This salad took me less than 15 minutes to make.
-This salad is best served warm, but is also good served at room temperature.

Did you make this recipe?

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