This salad is a classic fall pairing of walnuts, blue cheese, and pears, but with a twist: spiced poached fruit. The poaching liquid is also used in the dressing, for twice the spiced flavor.

Game plan: Though it’s fine to toss everything together, some ingredients in the salad may get lost in the bottom of the bowl, so we opt for serving it composed (a.k.a. arranged).

What to buy: Piccante blue cheese is older than the sweeter dolce variety and has a washed rind that is thicker and drier. The cheese delivers a spicy flavor and strong aroma that complement the vinaigrette.

This recipe was featured as part of our Fall Ingredients recipe slideshow.

  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients (18)

For the pears:

  • 2 1/2 cups fruity red wine, such as Zinfandel
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 medium dried bay leaf
  • 3-1/2-inch fresh rosemary sprig
  • 2 medium firm Bosc pears

For the dressing:

  • 1 tablespoon poaching liquid
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

For the salad:

  • 5 cups mixed escarole and frisée, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 ounces piccante blue cheese, crumbled

Instructions

For the pears:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients except the pears in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stems intact.
  2. When the poaching liquid boils, reduce the heat to low and add the pears, laying them on their sides so that they are almost completely submerged. Turn the pears occasionally so that they cook evenly and poach until they just give way when pierced with a knife, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
  3. Cool the pears in the poaching liquid for 20 minutes, rotate them, and leave for 20 minutes more. Remove the pears from the liquid, cut them in half, core, and cut into large dice; set aside.

For the dressing:

  1. Whisk the poaching liquid, vinegar, measured salt and pepper, and sugar in a small, nonreactive bowl. While constantly whisking, slowly drizzle in the oil until it’s completely incorporated. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired.

To assemble the salad:

  1. Place the greens in a large mixing bowl, add the dressing, and toss to coat.
  2. Divide the greens among serving plates. Top with the reserved diced pear, walnuts, and cheese, then serve.