Recipe: Endive, Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

By Nancy Caivano

Endive, Roasted Pear
and Gorgonzola Salad

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 shallot
1 piece star anise
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp port
6 cups assorted baby greens,
or packaged mesclun greens
2 firm-ripe pears
(preferably Bosc or Red Pears)
4 Belgian endives
6 oz Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)

Method:

Chop shallot and crush star anise. In a blender, blend shallot, oil, orange juice and port until emulsified. Transfer mixture to a small bowl or jar and add star anise and salt and pepper to taste. Chill dressing, covered, at least 4 hours. Pour dressing through a sieve into a bowl and discard solids. Whisk dressing until combined well.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. And line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Halve and core pears. Cut pears lengthwise into 1/4" thick slices and arrange in one layer on baking sheet. Roast pears in middle of oven until pale golden, about 10 minutes and cool on baking sheet.

Wash and spin-dry baby greens and place in a large serving bowl. Thinly slice endives and add them. Toss well. Add pears and Gorgonzola, drizzle with dressing, and toss well. Serve immediately, passing extra dressing.