This Parmesan Crusted Pear Salad is a sexy, but relatively simple recipe for your holiday table. Juicy fresh pear slices are dredged in flour and egg then coated in a parmesan breadcrumb mixture. Then, the coated pears are fried in clarified butter.
The parmesan-crusted pears top spring mix greens tossed in a simple vinaigrette. I made my own dressing by whisking together Extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil and organic apple cider vinegar. Then simply seasoned with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
You can create a more complicated salad to put under the parmesan-crusted pears. However, the simpler the salad, the more the flavors of the coated pears will stand out.
A scattering of raw walnut pieces across the top provides extra crunch and flavor.
Sometimes salads just get in the way as a component of a big holiday meal. Other times, they provide a nice respite from all the heavy food. This Parmesan Crusted Pear Salad straddles both. The healthy greens are guilt-free. On the other hand, the parmesan-crusted pears provide a tasty and decadent touch. Furthermore, the combination of sweet pears in its crispy salty parmesan coating is divine.
Variations:
For the coating, I used run-of-the-mill plain breadcrumbs in this Parmesan Crusted Pear Salad recipe. However, if you have a Panko variety on hand, use those
The pears are a combination of a few strays I had hanging out in my refrigerator. Alternatively, feel free to up the exotic factor and use Asian pears. Whichever variety you choose, make sure they are ripe but not too mushy. If the pears are too soft, they will be difficult to work with.
Finally, substitute pecans or pumpkin seeds for the walnuts. Toast the nuts in a naked frying pan before adding them to the salad to pop their flavor.
Parmesan Crusted Pears Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large pears
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup clarified butter
- 4 cups fresh salad greens
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- Vinaigrette
Instructions
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Peel the pears. Cut into slices lengthwise. Dig out the cores.
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Place the pear slices in a bowl and gently toss with the lemon juice.
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Whisk together the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs and place in a shallow bowl.
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Place the flour in another shallow bowl.
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Beat the eggs together with a fork or a whisk in a third shallow bowl.
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Heat the clarified butter in a medium tied skillet over medium-high heat.
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Place a layer of paper towels be the stove.
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Dredge the pear slices in the flour, then dip in the egg and coat with the parmesan breadcrumbs.
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Place in the heated pan and fry on both sides until golden brown.
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Remove from pan and lay on the paper towels to drain.
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Toss the greens with the vinaigrette.
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Distribute the greens on individual salad plates, top with pieces of the parmesan crusted pears.
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Scatter the chopped walnut pieces over the top and serve immediately.
Like this Parmesan Crusted Pear Salad? Also, check out these other recipes:
BAKED PEARS WITH WALNUTS & BLUE CHEESE
WARM FENNEL BRATWURST POTATO SALAD
CHESTNUT STREUSEL CRUSTED STEAK
