A bounty of bold green arugula leaves are tossed loosely on the plate, creating an organic bed for the beautifully poached pears that gleam like jewel drops. Amidst the greens are perfectly wedge slices of creamy camembert, giving the salad a rustic charm. Light drizzles of bright wine-infused vinaigrette artfully streak across the plate with sprinklings of chopped walnuts and freshly ground black pepper as finishing touches.

Arugula Camembert Salad with Beaujolais-Poached Pears

Name: Arugula Camembert Salad with Beaujolais-Poached Pears
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: fresh arugula, 2 cups washed and drained; large pear, 1 peeled, cored and sliced into thin wedges; Beaujolais wine, 1 cup; sugar, 1/2 cup; camembert cheese, 8 oz. sliced into wedges; broken walnuts, 1/2 cup lightly toasted; extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup; red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons; salt, to taste; freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Category Salad

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style French

Technique Poaching

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: April 01, 2024

This salad is a fun twist on French gastronomy, marrying the peppery quality of fresh arugula with the salty creaminess of camembert and an unexpected touch of sweet-tangy pears poached in Beaujolais wine. Seasonal, colorful and full of contrast, this is an exciting alternative to the classic green salad.

Ingredients (for 4)

Fresh arugula - 2 cups - washed and drained
Large pear - 1 - peeled, cored and sliced into thin wedges
Beaujolais wine - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Camembert cheese - 8 oz. - sliced into wedges
Broken walnuts - 1/2 cup - lightly toasted
Extra virgin olive oil - 1/4 cup
Red wine vinegar - 2 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Freshly ground black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍷🥄🍚

Combine 1 cup of Beaujolais wine and 1/2 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Stir them until the sugar dissolves.
Step 2 - 🍐🔥🌡️

Add the sliced pear wedges to the saucepan. Let them simmer over low heat for 8-10 minutes until they're tender. Leave them to cool in the poaching liquid.
Step 3 - 🍶🥄⚖️

In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of pear-infused wine, red wine vinegar, and olive oil together. Add salt and pepper according to taste.
Step 4 - 🥗🧀🥜

In a large bowl, add arugula, Camembert cheese slices, poached pear wedges, and toasted walnuts.
Step 5 - 🥗💧💫

Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss it gently to mix all elements. Adjust seasoning as required.

Additional

You can switch out the Beaujolais for another fruity red wine if you wish. Plus, kids will love helping to toss the salad, and pears can be poached ahead of time for convenience. To make it vegan, substitute camembert for a vegan cheese of your choice. For an additional pop of color, toss in some pomegranate seeds.