WATERCRESS, PEAR AND GORGONZOLA SALAD

Watercress, Pear and Gorgonzola Salad image

Mellow pears contrast the strong flavors of gorgonzola in this bright, lightly creamy salad. It's all finished with a sweet-tart dressing of onion, mustard and red wine vinegar. It makes a lovely first course, or simply treat it as two servings, rather than four, and serve it as a light lunch.

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories easy, quick, weekday, salads and dressings

Time 5m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/3 cup coarsely chopped cippolini or other sweet onion
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon honey
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup grapeseed oil
Sea salt
ground white pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 ounces watercress (about 1 bunch), thick stems removed
4 ounces Gorgonzola, sliced into 16 small slabs
2 ripe pears, cored, quartered and cut in wedges, or 4 fresh figs, quartered

Steps:

Combine the onion, mustard, vinegar, honey, lemon juice and grapeseed oil in a food processor or blender. Purée until onion is very fine. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil.
Rinse and dry the watercress. In a large bowl, season watercress with salt and pepper and toss with the dressing. Arrange cheese and fruit on four salad plates and top with watercress.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 468, UnsaturatedFat 32 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 42 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 490 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams