Pear, Fig, Candied Walnut and Prosciutto Salad

Published:  02/16/2018

Serves 2

6 cups spinach or other greens, chopped

1 pear, cut into 8 pieces

3 fresh figs, cut into 6-8 pieces each, depending on size or 3 dried figs, chopped

Half a recipe of Candied Walnuts - see recipe below

6 slices prosciutto, prepped either crispy or rolled into logs - see below

Champagne Pear Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Blue Cheese or Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled 

Crispy Prosciutto Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place slices of prosciutto flat on parchment paper over a baking sheet. Bake about 13 minutes, or until fairly crisp. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Break the prosciutto up into pieces and set aside.

Prosciutto Logs

If you do not want crispy prosciutto, tear each piece of prosciutto into halves or thirds and then roll each piece into a mini log.

Candied Walnuts

Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat, add ½ cup walnuts, 2 Tbs granulated sugar and ½  Tbsp butter. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently so your mixture doesn't burn (especially towards the end). Use half for 2 servings of salad. Keep to make a salad the next day or enjoy as a snack. 

For the Pear Vinaigrette:

1 ripe pear , washed and dried
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Core the pear and remove the seeds and stem. Place the rest of the pear (skin and all) in the bottom of a high-speed blender. Add the olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend everything together until it resembles salad dressing. Set aside. This can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Compose Salad

Put salad leaves in a large bowl. Dress with dressing and toss. Arrange greens on plates. Arrange pear slices on top, and if using fresh figs, arrange the figs or if using dried, sprinkle on top or make a small mound of them. Next, sprinkle with crispy prosciutto or if using fresh logs, place the prosciutto, then top with candied walnuts and crumbled cheese.