Want a really simple Christmas starter that takes virtually no effort and doesn’t fill you up too much before the main event? Why not try this delicious Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad?
Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad
Quick, simple and full of Christmas flavours, this fab Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad makes the perfect Christmas starter. Sweet caramelised pears match beautifully with the tangy, salty, umami deliciousness of stilton and the rich, nutty flavour of roasted walnuts.
Best of all, this salad is incredibly easy to make… Simply roast the sliced pears, adding the walnuts to the roasting tray for the last 5 minutes. Meanwhile make a simple vinaigrette-style dressing in a jam jar. Then divide the watercress between 4 plates, crumble the stilton over the top, add the roasted pears and walnuts and drizzle with the dressing. Easy peasy!
Not a fan of stilton?
Then we can’t be friends.
Kidding!
Seriously, if you find stilton a bit strong, try dolcelatte which is milder and creamier. Or, if you are not a fan of blue cheese, try goats cheese or feta. Or leave the cheese out altogether – it will still taste good!
Make it your own
This easy Christmas starter is incredibly easy to adapt, you could…
- Use cashew nuts or hazelnuts instead of walnuts
- Use apples instead of pears
- Use any kind of salad leaf instead of watercress
- Use dolcelatte, feta or goats cheese instead of stilton
- Use maple syrup instead of honey
- Use regular Dijon mustard instead of wholegrain
(If you adapt this recipe, do let me know what combination you tried and how it turned out in the comments below!)
Not just for Christmas…
While this salad makes a fab starter on Christmas Day, it is a real crowd pleaser and so a great option for all sorts of other occasions… especially dinner parties.
Can you make this salad ahead of time?
This salad is most definitely best eaten freshly made. However, you can certainly prepare some or all of the individual elements ahead of time, if you want to. For example, you can make the dressing, crumble up the stilton and roast the pears/walnuts earlier in the day, then simply assemble the salad at the last moment.
Can you freeze this salad?
Er no, like most salads this recipe is not suitable for freezing.
What to drink with Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad
If you are anything like me then you get very excited about choosing the perfect wines for Christmas Day. Personally, with this salad, I would go with Champagne. Not only does it go surprisingly well, but also… it’s Christmas! Alternatively, a crisp Italian white would also be a good match here.
If you are willing to go a bit off piste, then why not try a medium-sweet or sweet Sherry? Sherry is definitely not old fashioned, it’s an amazing and woefully underrated wine and happens to go beautifully with blue cheese, pears, walnuts and honey… Just make sure you serve it chilled, like you would with a white wine!
If you like this recipe…
…you might also like:
Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad
Ingredients
- 4 pears
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey plus extra for drizzling
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
- 100 g walnuts
- 100 g stilton
- 100 g watercress
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220C / 200C fan / gas mark 7 / 425F.
- Cut the pears into eighths lengthways and remove the pips and core.
- Place on a non-stick baking tray and roast for 15 mins.
- Meanwhile make the dressing: mix 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of wholegrain mustard in a jam jar.
- After 15 minutes, remove the pears from the oven, add the walnuts and a drizzle of honey over everything and roast for a further 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile divide the watercress between 4 plates, crumble the stilton and divide between the plates.
- Remove the pears and walnuts from the oven and divide between the 4 plates.
- Drizzle with the dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
- Not suitable for freezing.
- Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Pin Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad for later
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Mandy says
I’ll take this with any type of cheese! What a perfect Christmas starter. Thanks for sharing with #CookBlogShare
Eb Gargano says
Haha! A girl after my own heart by the sounds of it!! I’m a BIG cheese fan 🙂 Eb x
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Love this salad and totally drooling over it.. I’ve featured it in this week’s Meat Free Mondays. The roundup is now live. Thanks for submitting, oh and yummed, stumbled and pinned.
Eb Gargano says
Thanks for your lovely comments (and yums, stumbles, pins etc.)!! And thank you so much for featuring me again in your round up! I really do love taking part. 🙂 Eb x
Kerry at Kerry Cooks says
What a great easy way to ease into January healthy eating without giving up completely on flavour! 🙂
Eb Gargano says
Thanks, Kerry! Haha! Healthy eating is good, but I definitely don’t believe in giving up on flavour EVER!! 🙂
Natalie Tamara says
Yum, I love a good winter salad! This looks perfect for a break in between heavier festive food 🙂
Eb Gargano says
Thank you, Natalie. I love winter salads too – especially when they are slightly warm, like this one! Eb x
Joanna says
This is just my kind of salad – love the combination of pear, stilton and walnuts. Such a great idea for a Christmas dinner starter as it is quite light and easy to prepare.
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Joanna!
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
What a lovely salad with wintery flavours. This would be a great starter to any festive menu.
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Cat! Eb 🙂
Louise Fairweather says
Lovely combinations for a salad. Thanks for sharing #cookblogshare
Eb Gargano says
Thanks, Louise!
Gwen says
I made this with red chicory and it was delicious and crunchy! The dressing is terrific.
Eb Gargano says
Yay! That’s good to hear. Love the idea of making this with chicory 😀