Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans Pacific Northwest Canned Pears, halves, in juice, drained
- 8 ounces pearl couscous
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, cut in 1/2-inch wide ribbons
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 4-1/4 ounces dried cherries
- 3-1/2 ounces lightly toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
- 2-1/2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Method
Dice the pear halves and set aside.
Bring 1-1/2 cups of water to a boil in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the boiling water with the couscous, and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer the couscous uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all of the liquid is absorbed. Spread the couscous out onto a baking sheet with sides and refrigerate to cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the salad dressing. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar with the remaining salt while slowly adding the olive oil in a steady stream. When all the oil has been added and the dressing is emulsified, set it aside or refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the salad.
Transfer the cooled couscous into a large bowl and use a fork to fluff it, separating the grains from one another. Add the spinach and pears, along with the cherries, walnuts and blue cheese. Add the dressing to the bowl and gently toss the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and well coated. Serve immediately.
Servings
Makes six 1/2-cup servingsIngredients
- 1 pound 14 ounces pearl couscous
- 4 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 pound 5 ounces fresh spinach, cut in rough chiffonade
- 13 cups Pacific Northwest Canned Pears, diced, in juice, drained
- 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1-1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 pound 2 ounces dried cherries
- 14 ounces lightly toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
- 10 ounces blue cheese
Method
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add a scant teaspoon of salt to the boiling water with the couscous, and reduce the heat to medium high. Simmer the couscous uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all of the liquid is absorbed. Spread the couscous out onto a sheet pan and refrigerate to cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the salad dressing. Put the vinegar in the jar of a blender and, with the blender running on low speed, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Add the remaining salt and set aside or refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the salad.
Transfer the cooled couscous into a large bowl and use a fork to fluff it, separating the grains from one another. Add the spinach and pears, along with the cherries, walnuts and blue cheese. Add the dressing to the bowl and gently toss the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and well coated. Serve immediately.
