Pan-Fried Balsamic Pear Salad with Pancetta, Gorgonzola and a Warm Honey Dressing

Recipe courtesy of Lorraine Pascale

Watch how to make this recipe.

Pan-Fried Balsamic Pear Salad with Pancetta, Gorgonzola and a Warm Honey Dressing

Name: Pan-Fried Balsamic Pear Salad with Pancetta, Gorgonzola and a Warm Honey Dressing
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Two 5-ounce bags baby arugula; 16 slices pancetta, about 6 ounces; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 4 pears, peeled, cored and quartered; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons honey; 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted; 6 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

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Level: Easy
Total: 20 min

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 10 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 20 min

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 10 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Two 5-ounce bags baby arugula

16 slices pancetta, about 6 ounces

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 pears, peeled, cored and quartered

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

6 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Directions

Distribute the arugula evenly among four serving plates.
Put the pancetta into a medium skillet over medium-high heat and cook until really crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Put 2 tablespoons butter and the oil into the skillet and reduce the heat to low. When the butter has melted, place the pears in the pan and season with salt and pepper and 2 tablespoons honey. Turn up the heat to medium and cook until the pears are lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon vinegar and cook for another minute. Remove the pears from the pan, reserving any juices that may be left.
Arrange the pears and pancetta on top of the arugula so each serving has 4 pear quarters and 4 slices pancetta.
Put the pan back on medium heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, remaining 1 tablespoon honey, remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, mustard, pine nuts, salt and pepper. Cook briefly until the dressing is heated through. Pour the dressing over the salads, then scatter over the gorgonzola crumbles. Serve immediately.