Wash one bunch of red butter lettuce leaves and fluff them out on a plate. (Yes, I’m aware that “fluff them out” isn’t a cooking term.)
Layer with caramelized pears, smoked Provolone cheese, and smoked almonds.
Add a glass of Chardonnay.
And a fork.
Sweet and Smoky Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Red butter lettuce leaves, torn
Caramelized pears (recipe to follow)
Smoked almonds (however many you like)
Smoked Provolone cheese, julienned
Citrus Vinaigrette (recipe to follow)
Begin by making the caramelized pears.
Caramelized Pears
1 to 2 D’Anjou pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1-1/2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pears and sprinkle with brown sugar. Stir to coat. Reduce heat to medium; cook for 4 to 6 minutes, until pears are coated but retain their shape. Set pears aside on a plate to cool.
Meanwhile, julienne smoked Provolone cheese, assemble lettuce leaves on a plate, and prepare this vinaigrette dressing. (Thank you, Chef Rohini!)
Citrus Vinaigrette (from Food Served With Love And Calories)
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. freshly-squeezed orange juice
2 tsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together until cohesive; set aside.
Once pears have cooled, layer them over the lettuce with julienned cheese and smoked almonds. Drizzle vinaigrette over the top and prepare for mouth happiness.
Enjoying salad days,
~ Kim
Dear Kimby,
I am laughing so hard that you nonchalantly used the term “fluff them out”. Who cares when all of us know what you are talking about. Great looking salad, well done!!
Chopinand, I believe it was you who wrote that “a sense of humor is the most essential ingredient in the kitchen.” :) Thank you!
Okay perhaps I might have said that but “fluff them out” will stay with me for a long time and will fondly remind me of you in a beautiful way Kimby.
Mmmm. I love caramelized pears in a salad.
Jenna, I love caramelized pears on salads, in desserts, by themselves… well, you get the idea. :) Thanks for taking time out of your busy, BUSY schedule to comment!
Luv the sweet and smoky…yummminesss galore!! xox
Ally, we’re like peas in a pod. Seriously, “yummminesss galore” is a phrase I use to describe things that defy description! Thank you for making me smile. :)
WoW!! That was a surprise and a pleasant one indeed! Thank you for trying out the the vinaigrette!! And your salad looks so delish…Simple yet Grand! I have all the ingredients at home………including the Chardonnay..shall try it soon ;) ;)
Hi, Rohini! I’ve been enjoying your vinaigrette on my salads ever since you posted it in February — the citrusy flavor is beautiful and light for spring/summer. Glad you enjoyed the surprise — hope you enjoy the salad! :)
Provolone cheese? Mmmm…… I need to chk this out. Wonder how it tastes like. Just had some cheese with Sauv Blanc d other day with family.
Hi, Shirley! Provolone cheese is a fairly mild cheese — comes in “regular” and “smoked.” Both are delish — hope you find some! Sounds like you had a lovely time with your family. :)
I would say fluff the lettuce too. :)
Love your salad.
Many thanks, Maureen! I love how universal “cooking terms” are. :)
Sounds delicious. I think I might have trouble getting the pears onto the salad, though. I’d probably just eat them. :)
Too funny, Shary! Yes, I have to admit… a few didn’t make it to the plate. :) Thanks for stopping in to comment.
Great weekend lunch, Kim. All it needs is a hammock afterwards, for a nap.
I’ll have to add that to the recipe, Dawn! :) Definitely yes!
Isabelle is right! Fluff is totally a kitchen word :) Every one of us knew exactly what you were saying! Fabulous salad, darling. Love those almonds!
Thanks, Parsley Sage! I love that everyone’s on the same wavelength in our quest to share yummy food — good vibes in blog world! :)
First of all “fluff them out’ is a perfectly acceptable cooking term! I use it and I will use it more to make my point ;D
MORE IMPORTANT: I love that the glass of chardonnay is an essential part of your directions for this lovely and beautiful sald!
If my chair is ready I shall enjoy this meal while looking at the lake, thank you!
Isabelle, I was feeling playful when I made this salad and that phrase fit the description. (I’m sure it stuck in my brain from reading your blog — you have a knack for playful descriptions!) Your chair is ready and waiting… :)
This salad looks superb – fresh and complimentary flavours all round :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Why thank you, Miss Uru! :)
Mmm, sounds delicious! And fairly simple, except for the pears, but if that’s the only cooking you have to do for your meal, I’d call that simple!
Veronica, it’s good with fresh pear slices, too — brush them with some of the citrus juice so they don’t brown — no cooking involved! I’ve also used “regular” Provolone cheese and almonds, but sometimes I like to amp up the flavors. :) Enjoy!
That. Looks. So. Good. I think I need to put smoked provolone cheese on my shopping list.
Thank you so much! I was thinking the same thing about your Smoked Salmon Salad Nicoise! :)