Composed Salad Of Fennel Oven Dried Pears And Maytag Blue Cheese Recipes

ASIAN PEAR SALAD WITH TAMARI PECANS AND MAYTAG BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and syrup. Whisk in the oil and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the greens, pecans and currants. Sprinkle with the cheese and season lightly with salt and pepper. Whisk the dressing again and drizzle it over the salad.
• Toss the salad gently and briefly; you do not want the cheese to crumble any further and clump together.
• Divide the salad among 4 chilled salad plates. Fan the pear slices over each serving.
• Put the pear juice in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and skim the thick foam that rises to the surface.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer very gently, skimming occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the juice reduces to the consistency of maple syrup.
• Let cool to room temperature. Use now or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a shallow bowl, stir the tamari and molasses together to blend. Season with cayenne and salt, to taste.
• Add the pecans and toss until they are coated. Transfer the pecans to a clean kitchen towel and let drain briefly.
• Spread the pecans on a wire rack set on a baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes, or until fairly dry and toasted.
• Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the rack. Chop the pecans into 1/4-inch pieces.

COMPOSED SALAD PALOISE

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette by whisking together ingredients. Set aside. Drizzle the asparagus and celery root with the vinaigrette, just before serving. Place the lettuce leaves around the edges of the salad platter. Arrange artichokes, asparagus and celery root over lettuce. Dribble vinaigrette over all and sprinkle with herbs.

FIELD GREENS WITH PEARS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Just before serving time, peel, core, and slice the pears. Combine the greens, pears, walnuts, and blue cheese in a large salad bowl. Drizzle half the Port-Shallot Dressing over the top and toss. Drizzle in the remaining dressing, tossing until the greens are well coated-you may not need to add all the dressing. (Leftover dressing can be kept refrigerated for up to 1 week for another use.) Season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• Place on chilled salad plates and serve.
• Pour the port into a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, or until the port is reduced to 2/3 cup without the shallots. Set aside to let cool.
• Pour the port and shallots into the conainer of a blender and puree. Add the vinegar and blend well. While the motor is running, drizzle the oil through the hole in the blender top and continue to blend until emulsified and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside; refrigerate if not using immediately.

ASIAN PEAR SALAD WITH TAMARI PECANS AND MAYTAG BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the pear vinegar and pear syrup in a small mixing bowl. Whisk in the lemon-o and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the greens, tamari pecans, and currants. Sprinkle over with the blue cheese, then drizzle over with the dressing. Toss the salad gently and briefly, as you do not want the cheese crumbles to begin sticking together. Divide the salad onto the center of 2 chilled salad plates and garnish by fanning the pear slices around each salad.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the tamari and molasses. Season, to taste, with salt and cayenne pepper. Toss with the pecans until they are well coated. Transfer the pecans onto a kitchen towel and allow to briefly drain. Roast the pecans on an icing rack until the pecans are fairly dry and toasted. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Chop the pecans into 1/4-inch pieces.