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Cooking with Conks
Cooking with ConksVerified

February 4, 2026

We know there are a lot of salad recipes out there, but this is the best Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Pear Salad we’ve ever had. It’s the kind of salad you have at a restaurant one day and can’t stop thinking about after you go back home. It’s classy and elegant and feels like something that should be hard to make, but it’s not. This salad features delicate leafy lettuce, rich and toasted walnuts, funky and salty blue cheese, fruity pears, and a tasty toasted sesame soy dressing that combines savory, nutty, and sweet flavors. The result is a salad that is as simple and balanced as it is delicious.

The Best Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Pear Salad
The Best Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Pear Salad
The Best Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Pear Salad
The Best Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Pear Salad cover
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
1/4

The Best Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Pear Salad

Ingredients

Milk and 7 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

1
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In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter and then add the walnuts and a small pinch of salt.
2
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Toast the walnuts in the pan, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the walnuts from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate to cool.
3
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Place the dressing ingredients, except sesame seeds, into a high-sided container. Blend the ingredients with an immersion blender until emulsified. Taste for seasoning. If needed, add a small pinch of salt. Stir in the sesame seeds at the end.
4
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Assemble the salad by tossing together the lettuce, blue cheese, cooled walnuts, pears and desired amount of dressing in a large bowl.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

  • Pear Ripeness Perfection 🍐
    Choose pears that are ripe but still firm - they should yield slightly when gently pressed, ensuring perfect texture and sweetness in the salad.
  • Blue Cheese Selection 🧀
    Select a high-quality, creamy blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola Dolce for a more nuanced and rich flavor profile that complements the salad's other ingredients.
  • Walnut Toasting Technique 🥜
    Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, constantly stirring, to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent burning.
  • Dressing Emulsion Magic 🥄
    Whisk the dressing ingredients vigorously or use a blender to create a stable emulsion, ensuring the sesame soy dressing is smooth and well-integrated.
  • Lettuce Freshness Hack 🥬
    Wash and thoroughly dry lettuce leaves before assembling the salad to prevent a watery texture and ensure the dressing clings perfectly.

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About the Cook

Cooking with Conks

We’re Rachel & Emily Conklin (“Conks” for short), sisters, lifelong foodies, and the voices behind Cooking with Conks. We grew up in Southern California, surrounded by bold flavors, big family meals, and the kind of kitchen chaos that turns into inside jokes

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