POACHED PEAR SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE AND CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE

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Poached Pear Salad With Blue Cheese and Champagne Vinaigrette image

This is a nice salad dish for the holiday season or special dinner. Much of this can be made ahead...a real time-saver! They suggest saving the poaching liquid for a spiced-wine spritzer or served warm as mulled wine. I tried the wine spritzer and it was very refreshing. From Bon Appetit December, 2009.

Provided by Scoutie

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
1 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, chopped
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
4 bosc pears, firm, peeled, halved lengthwise, cored
1/4 cup shallot, minced (about 1 large)
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar or 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil, extra-virgin
12 cups mixed baby greens (from two 5-ounce packages)
1 cup walnut pieces, toasted
1 cup blue cheese, crumbled (about 5 ounces)

Steps:

  • PEARS:.
  • Bring first 5 ingredients to boil in large wide saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  • Add pear halves, cut side down. Return syrup to boil.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered until pears are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.
  • DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
  • Drain pears.
  • Leaving top 1 inch intact (at narrow end), cut each pear half lengthwise into thin slices.
  • Gently press on pear halves to fan slightly.
  • VINAIGRETTE AND SALAD:.
  • Whisk shallot, vinegar, and mustard in small bowl to blend.
  • Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup oil.
  • Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
  • DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Place greens in large bowl. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat.
  • Mound greens on plates.
  • Arrange 1 pear half atop greens on each plate.
  • Sprinkle with walnuts and cheese.
  • Drizzle with more vinaigrette, if desired, and serve.

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