Pearstiltonsaladwithportdressingtoastedwalnuts Recipes

PEAR & STILTON SALAD WITH PORT DRESSING & TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in heavy saucepan on med heat.
• Set aside.
• Pour port into same pan nuts were toasted in.
• Boil on med high; simmer to reduce by half its volume.
• Remove from heat& allow to cool.
• Distribute 1 1/2 C greens on each of 4 plates.
• Arrange pear slices over.
• Sprinkle 1 1/2 T cheese on each.
• For dressing: Puree reduced port, shallots, garlic, mustard, vinegar to smooth in blender.
• Pour over salads.
• Top with nuts.

PEAR, DATE & WALNUT SALAD WITH CREAMY STILTON DRESSING

Steps:

• Cut the pear quarters into thin slices and toss in a bowl with the lime juice to help protect their natural colour. Blend the crème fraîche with half the stilton, ginger syrup to taste, and enough water (3-4 tbsp) to give a smooth, thick coating consistency. (Don't add too much water or it may separate.)
• Scatter the pear slices over six serving plates and follow with the walnuts, dates and remaining cheese. Can be prepared to this stage up to an hour ahead.
• Drizzle each salad with a little of the dressing and some walnut oil. Season with a grinding of pepper - you shouldn't need salt, as the cheese is salty. Mix the salad leaves and watercress very lightly with just a bit more dressing - some leaves should be touched by the dressing, some untouched. Gently pile the leaves on top of each salad.

WALNUT PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first six ingredients; shake well. Combine the pears and dressing in a large serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. , Just before serving, add greens to pear mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with walnuts.

POTTED STILTON WITH PORT AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• To make the potted Stilton, simply mash the Stilton in a bowl, add the softened butter, the mace and port and continue to stir together well.
• (Traditional potted cheese recipes tend to use unclarified butter, presumably because cheese, especially when it is aided by alcohol, needs less protection from spoilage than meat.).
• Pack into ramekins or an attractive ceramic pot/s. Melt a little butter and pour over the top of the cheese to form a thin seal.
• Scatter the walnuts over the top & press them in slightly, then leave it to set.
• Refrigerate for up to a week. Serve after dinner with crackers or hot, toasted rye bread, with a ripe pear alongside. Alternatively, try as a sandwich filling on wholemeal bread, augmented by plenty of crisp salad leaves to cut through the richness of this delicious potted cheese!

APPLE, PEAR, AND SPINACH SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the shallot, vinegar, mustard, thyme, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a grind or two of pepper. Continue to whisk as you drizzle in the olive oil. Dip a spinach leaf into the dressing and taste. Add more vinegar or salt as needed. Set aside.
• Put the pear and apple in a large bowl, drizzle the lemon juice over them, and toss gently until the slices are evenly coated. Add the spinach and all but a tablespoon each of the walnuts and cheese, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the dressing. Toss and taste the salad. Add more dressing or vinegar, salt, and pepper as needed. Sprinkle the remaining walnuts and cheese over the salad.