Grilled Pear Salad with Cambozola Cheese, Toasted Walnuts & Balsamic Glaze
Description
This flavorful salad is on the menu at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Lake Yellowstone Hotel in Yellowstone National Park. Created by Chef Jim Chapman, CEC.
Ingredients
pears
- 5 Bosc pears, peeled, halved, seeds removed
- 1 quart red wine (Merlot or Zinfandel work well)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
walnuts
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup California walnut halves
balsamic glaze
- 2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
plating
- 10, 1-ounce pieces Cambozola (blue) cheese, cut into diamond shapes
- 1 pound assorted greens (red oak leaf, green oak leaf, frisee)
PREPARATION
Pears
- Bring the red wine, sugar and cinnamon stick to boil.
- Add pears and return to boil, and then lower to simmer.
- Cook pears until tender and easily pierced by paring knife. Let cool in poaching liquid.
- When cool, drain and cook on clean oiled grill or grill pan until you have nice, dark grill markings.
Walnuts
- Combine the egg white, water, cayenne pepper, salt and sugar in a medium bowl.
- Add the walnuts and toss with egg white mixture. Place in a colander to drain.
- Spread walnuts on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted. Let cool and break apart.
Balsamic Glaze
- Combine the sugar and balsamic vinegar in a medium saucepan. Cook until a syrup forms, then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
Plating
- Set out salad plates. On each one place a small bouquet of greens next to cheese, place two walnut halves on top of cheese. Fan pear half and arrange around cheese, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
NUTRITION
- Calories: 282 cal
- Total Fat: 15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
- Sodium: 259 mg
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g