29 March 2011

Recipe: Rocket and Caramelized Pear Pasta Salad

Today I'm linking up with FTLOB for Tasty Tuesday!  

I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share this amazing and Spring-inspired side dish with you :)  I tried it last weekend and it's pretty easy to make, but still looks impressive if you're having guests over and tastes SO good - trust me on this one. 

Rocket & Caramelized Pear Pasta Salad


Serves: 4
Time: 20 minutes

You will need:
  • 200g penne pasta (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 2 ripe pears
  • 50g butter (about 1/4 cup)
  • 30g brown sugar (a little more than 1/8 cup)
  • 50g soft blue cheese (1/2 cup)
  • 50ml extra virgin olive oil (1/4 cup)
  • 30ml balsamic vinegar (1/8 cup)
  • 5ml dijon mustard (about a teaspoon)
  • 100g fresh baby rocket (or a handful of any other fancy lettuce if you can't find it)
Method:

1. Cook the penne in salted boiling water, drain and allow to cool.
2. Slice the ripe pears, place in a pan and turn on the heat.  Add the butter and the brown sugar.  Allow to cook until sticky and caramel-golden brown.
3. Mash the soft blue cheese with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and dijon mustard into a creamy dressing.
4. Toss the penne with the baby rocket (or other fancy lettuce) and caramelized pears.  Dress with the blue cheese dressing just before serving.
5. Enjoy!


Let me know how it turns out!

9 comments:

  1. Yummmmm Jenna! this sounds and looks absolutely delicious! x

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  2. this looks so good - and not that many ingredients! i love a fresh pasta!

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  3. Oh my goodness this looks amazing! I've recently begun teaching myself to cook and am definitely going to try this out! Thanks Jenna :)

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  4. You had me at blue cheese. That looks delicious!

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  5. Pasta and pears! I would have never guessed! I really want to try this now...

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  6. umm, hello tasty!! i love anything with pears :)

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  7. all I can say is yummm. yep, that's all I can say.

    xoxo
    Christine
    www.aquietdetermination.blogspot.com

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  8. That looks SO delicious! I may just have to cook sometime soon! :) ;)
    <3 leigh

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Thanks for the love!