Description
This Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Chicory Salad is a refreshing and flavorful combination of crisp chicory leaves, creamy blue cheese, crunchy toasted walnuts, and sweet pear slices. Tossed with a tangy honey-Dijon vinaigrette, it makes a perfect no-cook, sophisticated salad ideal for fall or any season where you want a quick, elegant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 heads chicory (or endive), leaves separated and torn if large
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ½ cup toasted walnut halves
- 1 small pear, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, creating a flavorful vinaigrette.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the separated chicory leaves, thinly sliced pear, crumbled blue cheese, toasted walnut halves, and chopped parsley if using. This mix balances bitterness, sweetness, and crunch.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly without bruising the chicory. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and contrasting textures.
Notes
- For added texture and a burst of color, try adding pomegranate seeds or thinly sliced red onion.
- You can substitute gorgonzola or goat cheese for blue cheese to vary the flavor profile.
- Best served fresh, but the dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad portion
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
