Green Salad with Roasted Pears and Blue Cheese

Happy Easter to all!  We spent the afternoon with extended family.  My part of the meal, as usual (remember I like to do the cutting up thing), was the salad.  Spring greens and spring green onions inspired this delicious combination.  I was skeptical about the roasted pears.  I didn't expect them to be so amazing.  Roasting them brought out their syrupy goodness, and the salt and pepper added a nice balance.  If you enjoy adding fruit to your salads such as blueberries and strawberries, I encourage you to try this easy, elegant salad.  This recipe was inspired by Food network star Melissa d'Arabian.

Green Salad with Roasted Pears and Blue Cheese
printable recipe

2 pears, cored and diced
1/4 c. olive oil
Kosher salt & pepper
Mixed Spring greens
2 T. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. dijon mustard
2 T. toasted slivered almonds
2 green onions, sliced
2 T. crumbled bleu cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

On a parchment lined baking sheet, toss the pears with 1 T. olive oil and salt and pepper.

Roast in the oven until the pears are golden, but still slightly firm.  About 12-15 minutes.

Toast the almonds in a heavy skillet over medium high heat until brown and toasty.

Whisk the vinegar and mustard.  Season with salt and pepper.  Slowly whisk in the remaining olive oil.

Toss the dressing with the greens.
Layer the pears over the greens.

Sprinkle with the toasted almonds.
Add the bleu cheese and the green onion before serving.