Watercress, Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

By Florence Fabricant

Updated April 11, 2021

  • Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(217)
Comments
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Mellow pears contrast the strong flavors of gorgonzola in this bright, lightly creamy salad. It’s all finished with a sweet-tart dressing of onion, mustard and red wine vinegar. It makes a lovely first course, or simply treat it as two servings, rather than four, and serve it as a light lunch.

Featured in: Watercress, as Fresh as a Gurgling Spring

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • ⅓ cup coarsely chopped cippolini or other sweet onion

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • ½ teaspoon honey

  • Juice of ½ lemon

  • ½ cup grapeseed oil

  • Sea salt

  • ground white pepper

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 8 ounces watercress (about 1 bunch), thick stems removed

  • 4 ounces Gorgonzola, sliced into 16 small slabs

  • 2 ripe pears, cored, quartered and cut in wedges, or 4 fresh figs, quartered

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

19 grams carbs; 21 milligrams cholesterol; 475 calories; 12 grams monosaturated fat; 20 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 42 grams fat; 4 grams fiber; 503 milligrams sodium; 7 grams protein; 11 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the onion, mustard, vinegar, honey, lemon juice and grapeseed oil in a food processor or blender. Purée until onion is very fine. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil.

  2. Step 2

    Rinse and dry the watercress. In a large bowl, season watercress with salt and pepper and toss with the dressing. Arrange cheese and fruit on four salad plates and top with watercress.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
217 user ratings
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Comments

LML

I've always loved these basic ingredients together - in this recipe, the dressing really makes them sing. It is light but flavorful enough to enhance the other flavors. I added toasted pecans for a little extra crunch.

Tina

Dressing is v. good. Don't use red onions or it will look like Pepto.

Pat

Toasted walnuts are good too.

Celia

A fantastic salad! I've served it twice, once to family, once to guests, and everyone was eager for a second helping. Delicious dressing. There was no watercress to be found in January so used a spring mix, and no sweet onions in the store, so used some red onion. I'll try it again with watercress and vidalia in the spring!

Karin

Soooo good this combination and dressing - I do not use the blender, just cut the onions, in smallish dice and whisking all ingredients as directed… I’ve made it dozens of time - farmers market watercress and store bought… Thank you Florence

Lizzi

Delish! This is one of my go to watercress recipe.

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