How to Prepare an Endive Pear Salad

An endive and pear salad can complement many types of French food. The endive is paired with cheese, pears and walnuts, and drizzled with a creamy dressing. It's easy to make and you can serve it as a starter or a main dish.

Things You'll Need

• 5 heads of Belgian endive
• 2 sweet pears, unpeeled
• 1/4 lb. Roquefort cheese
• 5 tbsp. cream
• 3/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup caramelized walnuts or pecans
• Individual salad plates

Instructions

1. Separate some large leaves of Belgian endive and arrange them around each individual serving plate in a star pattern or wagon wheel shape.

2. Slice the pears thinly, and arrange them attractively over the endive leaves.

3. Sprinkle the salad with crumbled Roquefort cheese

4. Make the salad dressing in a small mixing bowl. Combine a small amount of cream, a bit of Dijon mustard and a dash of salt. Whisk the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined.

5. Drizzle the dressing lightly over the salad. Sprinkle a few caramelized walnuts or pecans over the top of the salad and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer a milder cheese, gorgonzola can substitute for Roquefort.

• Bartlett pears mix well in a Belgian endive salad, and their light, sweet flavor balances the flavor of the endive, which can be somewhat bitter.