If you've been looking for Asian pear salad recipes, here's one that's definitely worth a try! Think of a mouthwatering crisp salad with crunchy textures and bold flavors that you can enjoy whenever Asian pears are available in your area.
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What's an Asian Pear?
The best way to describe the taste and texture of an Asian pear is to imagine a pear-flavored apple. Asian pears are crisp and crunchy like an apple, with the honey-like sweetness of a typical pear. This wonderful fruit stays fresh for much longer than other pear varieties, as long as it is not bruised.
What to Eat with an Asian Pear?
A crisp Asian pear is delicious chilled and eaten on its own, but there are other ways to enjoy this wonderful fruit:
- Add them sliced to a cheese plate.
- Blend them in smoothies.
- Toss them sliced or cubed into a salad.
Health Benefits of Asian Pears
Like other types of pears, Asian pears are a good source of fiber, which aids digestion. They are also a good source of copper, folate, and magnesium.
While they contain much higher amounts of sugar than berries, they are considered a low-glycemic fruit due to their fiber content. The fiber slows down the absorption of sugar in your body so you are less likely to experience a glucose spike.
Ingredients
- Asian pear - Even though Asian pears are more common in the Fall months, I have found them at Whole Foods and other local stores as early as May.
- Cherry tomatoes - I like to get ones on the vine so that they don't spoil too quickly.
- Herb salad mix - I either use the Trader Joe's version or the Earthbound Farm brand.
- Crumbed gorgonzola cheese - Gorgonzola is a sharp blue cheese with a salty bite. This flavor stands out on its own and helps the pear and cherry tomato flavors shine as well.
- Pine nuts - I use the raw version, but toasted is also fine. They taste the same either way.
- Gluten-free croutons - Check out my post on how to make gluten-free croutons. They're super easy to make and taste better than what you can find in grocery stores.
- White wine vinaigrette - you can use a store-bought version or make this easy white wine vinaigrette recipe.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Cut the pear into bite-sized pieces.
Quarter the cherry tomatoes.
If desired, chop the herb salad greens into bite-sized pieces before adding them to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, then toss to combine.
Serve in a large salad bowl and enjoy immediately!
Substitutions
Other Pear Varieties
I have also used Bartlett, D'Angeau, and Bosc pears in this recipe instead of Asian pears. Although these alternate varieties do not have a crisp texture, their softer and juicy textures are also good for this salad.
Mixed Greens
The herb mix is definitely the best for this recipe, however a Spring mix works almost as well.
Crumbled Cheese
If you prefer a milder cheese, toss in some crumbled feta instead.
Nuts
Instead of pine nuts, you can use sunflower seeds.
Storage
While this salad is best consumed immediately, you can store it in an airtight container for a couple of days.
FAQ
Organic Asian pears do not need to be peeled. It is best to peel conventionally grown Asian pears to avoid pesticide exposure, as they are on the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list.
Asian pears are wrapped in foam to protect them from bruising. This allows the pears to stay fresh for a much longer time as bruising makes them spoil quickly.
Sharp cheeses like cheddar and blue cheese go well with the flavor of Asian pears.
Pairing
Recipe
Asian Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Cheese
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Asian pear, chopped chopped
- 15 cherry tomatoes quartered
- 5 oz mixed greens (herb mix or spring mix) chopped
- ⅓ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 1 cup gluten-free croutons
- ½ cup white wine vinaigrette start with ¼ cup if you prefer a lighter amount.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the salad ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Toss well to combine.
- Serve in a large salad bowl and enjoy immediately!
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