Just about every night I make some type of side salad for the mr with dinner. Its usually just whatever veggies I am eating on a bed of kale with s splash of vinegar. I used to add chunks of fruit, but he kept saying that he really hated when I stuck fruit in his salad. HATED. So I stopped, kinda. I never really believed he hates fruit in the salads, I just think he was confused or something......
But being the sweet guy that he is, and always down to try anything, he was cool with it when I told him I was making a fancy (not fancy) salad with pears. He told me he would go with me on my fantastical salad journey.. and guess what. He ate the crap out of it.. said it was fantastic.I mean, how could anyone not get down with this combo. Sweet pears slightly soften with sweet maple and balanced out with a nice acidic vinegar. Walnuts for crunch and creaminess all on a bed of bitter greens.... My mouth is watering just thinking about it. And you know how the internet is all abuzz about eating salads for breakfast (if you didn't you do know) this would be a great salad to start out your day.
So greens with fruit... Always a good idea. As for the mr, I knew that he was bull shitting me about the fruit, or at least I hoped he was cause its go time and there is going to be all sorts of crazy salad stuff going on in here!
The stuff. A big bowl of a some bitter spicy arugula (you can use any greens you like, but the more bitter ones pair well with the sweetness of the pear) A nice firm pear, some walnuts, a little maple syrup,some balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper.
Cut the pear in half, remove seeds and stem and slice the pear into slices, not to thick, or to thin.
Place those slices into a preheated, dry skillet with a handful of walnuts. to start toasting the walnuts and the pear slices get a little seared.
Note..If your pear is really ripe, skip the sear....i will get mushy and fall apart.
After a minutes or two of searing the pears on each side pour in the maple and vinegar and turn heat down to medium low.
Continue to cook for just a few more minutes until the liquid starts to thicken a bit. Look at those beauts....ready for action.
Grab a bowl, fill it with greens and top (dump) with the pears, walnuts and all the liquid in the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and call it..Time to eat.
Such a good bowl of stuff.
Happy Thursday!
-C
Quick Poached Maple Balsamic Pear with Walnuts on Greens
Serves 2
- 1/4 lb (a few big handfuls ) of arugula ....Any green works, but the more bitter the better
- 1 large firm pear (I used an anjou but any type would work)
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- good handful of walnuts
- salt and pepper to taste
Stick a large fry skillet on the stove and preheat to medium heat.
Now grab yourself a nice firm pear, cut it in half, remove the seed and slice into thin pieces. Place the slices into the preheated dry skillet with the walnuts. The pear slices can touch, but make sure they do not overlap. Sear(they wont turn brown) each side of the pears for about 2 minutes, just to soften it a bit but not to soft or they will get mushy. Also, toss around those nuts a bit to give them a little toast. Once both sides are seared, turn heat to medium low and dump maple and the balsamic vinegar. Cook for another few minutes until the liquid starts to slightly thicken then remove from heat. Place the greens into a bowl and top with the pears, walnuts, and all the liquid left in the pan. Sprinkle with salt ans pepper.
Grab a fork cause a spoon wont work here and eat yourself full of goodness.