Bitter Greens Salad with Pear, Bleu Cheese, and Candied Pecans
Bitter Greens Salad with Pear, Bleu Cheese, and Candied Pecans is a salad with all the elements — bitter, sweet, salty, and crunchy — that just satisfies and keeps you coming back for more. It’s the perfect salad for holidays, entertaining, or any time you want to make a meal extra special.
It’s been a while since I’ve shared a salad on my blog, which is surprising as much as I eat them. I really haven’t been making them at home lately as I have them at cooking school every day in some form. I enjoyed this Bitter Greens Salad with Pear, Bleu Cheese, and Candied Pecans at school weeks ago, and fell for it instantly. The bitter curly endive, radicchio, and Belgian endive with the sweet Bartlett pear, salty bleu cheese, and crunchy, candied pecans is one winning combination. 🙂
Now, maybe you’re against making your own salad dressing because it’s one more step that you feel that you don’t have time for? You have time for this one — it literally takes 1 minute to throw it together. It’s a combination of red wine and balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper. The combination of vinegars gives this dressing a really unique flavor that highlights all the ingredients perfectly.
For holiday meals, I usually always serve my Cranberry Pear Salad, and it’s been a hit for about 13 years! This year I’m going to have to kick it to the curb and serve this one. It’s about time I serve a different salad for holidays — traditions need to be broken sometimes, no? I know without a doubt that this salad will be a hit, too….possibly for the next 13 years. 😉
- 1 small head radicchio, washed and torn into pieces
- 2 Belgian endive, core removed, halved, washed well and sliced thinly lengthwise
- 1 head of curly endive, washed and torn into pieces
- 2 Bartlett pears, stemmed, cored and chopped into ¼" thick chunks
- 4-6 onces bleu cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup candied pecans
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Place the radicchio, Belgian endive, and curly endive in a large salad bowl. Add the chopped pear, bleu cheese, and candied pecans. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk the vinegars and ½ teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper, Whisk in the olive oil slowly, in a steady stream. Add more salt and pepper if desired. Toss the dressing with the salad just to coat, and serve immediately. Store any remaining dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
I love bitter greens! And pears, bleu cheese and candied pecans are such a great combination together Marcie. Gorgeous and pinned! 🙂
Thanks, Ane! I don’t normally use bitter greens like these in my salad so it’s extra special for me. Have a great day!
This looks like such a nice and refreshing salad Marcie 🙂 I still enjoy eating salads too even though the weather is cooler here now and like the sound of the crisp bitter greens with pear and candied pecans. Thanks for sharing and hope you have a great weekend Marcie!
Thanks, Kelly! This salad is a great winter salad with the bitter greens. I especially love the Belgian endive because it’s something I rarely ever use. Have a great weekend!
I could use a good salad with all of the baking I have been doing lately! Such a great winter salad!
Thanks,Meghan! I really want to start baking soon after all the salad. lol. Have a great weekend!
Oh this salad sounds wonderful! With the blue cheese and candied pecans – so my style! And I agree – taking a few minutes to make your own dressing is so worth it! Happy Friday Marcie – hope you have a great weekend!
When you go to the trouble to make a salad with great ingredients, you just have to go the distance and make the dressing! I’m glad you agree, Ashley.
Fall salads are my favorite and I absolutely love this combination of pears, blue cheese, and pecans. I sure it will be devoured at your Thanksgiving table!
Fall ingredients make some of the best salads indeed! Thanks, Christin, and have a great weekend!
This looks like the perfect salad to serve during holiday dinners, indeed! I can’t wait to try it!
Have a lovely weekend 😀
Thanks, Consuelo! Have a wonderful weekend yourself.
Mmm, wonderful flavours! I’m gonna keep this in mind for salad ideas over the holidays 🙂
Thanks, Aimee! The minute I tasted this salad I thought about the holidays — I think it will be perfect for them! Have a great day!
I love fresh salads like this! Perfect!
Thanks, Kristi! Have a great weekend!
Easy and delicious and full of the greens we need to stay healthy this winter and fall Thank you for sharing. I love the pear and bleu cheese combo!
I agree, Monet — we need salads to stay healthy, especially during the holidays! Have a great weekend!
I love love this combination Marcie.
There’s a place called Reposado in Pala Alto, they have a salad similar to these flavors and I love it. Try the place if you haven’t already, you’ll love it. Quite kid friendly too.
Thanks for the restaurant recommendation, Ash. If we’re out there we will give it a try! Have a great Sunday night.
I have been needing more green meals to freshen up, thanks for posting this!
Salads like this make it fun to eat healthy! Have a great night, Pamela.