Lenten Friday Meal Recipe: Carmelized Walnut and Pear Salad

I order this from time to time at the Nordstrom cafe. It's very delicious and filling. Here's the Nordstrom recipe:

6 cups mixed baby greens/Romaine mix

1 Cup Caramelized Walnuts (recipe below)

1 Cup crumbled bleu cheese

2 pears, cut in 1/4-inch dice

1 Cup thin strips of red bell pepper

1/2 Cup Champagne Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Pear slices and julienne red peppers, to garnish

In a large bowl, toss together the greens, walnuts, bleu cheese, pears and red pepper in the Champagne Vinaigrette. Place mixture in a salad bowl, then garnish with red peppers and slices of pear.

Caramelized Walnuts

1/2 Pound walnuts, about 1 3/4 cups

1 egg white

1/3 Cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350º.

Mix walnuts, egg white and sugar together in a medium bowl. Place on sheet pan and bake at 350º degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool, then break into pieces if necessary.

Champagne Vinaigrette

1 tablespoon chopped shallot

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 cup Champagne wine vinegar

1 1/2 cups salad oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

In a medium bowl, combine shallot, Dijon, sugar, garlic, Champagne wine vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Mix well using a wire whisk. Makes approximately 2 cups.

I don't think I've ever seen Champagne wine vinegar around these parts, so I'd substitute with something else. I'll post when I try this recipe at home.


Here is the printable PDF.