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Passion for Pork www.PassionforPork.com

Pear and Bacon Salad

Pear and Bacon Salad

Chef/owner Darren Maclean
downtownfood, Calgary

4th annual Pig & Pinot recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250 mL) sugar
  • 1 cup (250 mL) water
  • 1 whole vanilla bean
  • 1 Asian pear, cored and cubed
  • 1 cup (250 mL) cubed thick-cut bacon
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) candied walnuts
  • 2 Tbsp (30 mL) tiger blue cheese, or other mild Canadian blue cheese
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) arugula
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) julienned granny smith apple
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) good quality liquid honey
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Preparation

Combine water, sugar and vanilla bean in a small pot. Bring to a boil and let simmer until sugar dissolves, about 2-3 minutes. Add cubed Asian pear, cook for 1 minute and then remove from heat to let cool slightly in solution.

In a medium skillet, cook bacon slowly on medium heat to gently caramelize, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to paper towel to absorb any excess grease.

When ready to serve, place cubed pears and bacon in the centre of a plate and top with crumbled blue cheese and candied walnuts.

Top this with arugula, green apple and drizzle with honey, lemon juice and cayenne. Serve immediately.

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Approximately 2 Servings

Tags: bacon | Darren Maclean | pear | salad |