Elegant Fall Delight: Poached Pear and Brie Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, it’s a sure sign that fall has arrived. And with it, a culinary shift from light summer fare to richer, more comforting flavors. While pumpkins often steal the spotlight, this season, we’re celebrating the humble yet elegant pear. Forget the ordinary; this Poached Pear and Brie Salad is an exquisite ode to autumn, perfectly crafted to welcome the cozy days ahead. It’s a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, featuring delicate white wine-poached pears atop a bed of fresh greens, generously studded with creamy brie cheese and crunchy toasted pecans, all brought together with a vibrant balsamic vinaigrette.
Pears are truly one of autumn’s unsung heroes, offering a sweet, juicy burst of flavor that transitions beautifully from fresh snacks to sophisticated culinary creations. My trips to the grocery store during fall always include a stop at the produce aisle to gather a few choice pears. Once home, they find their temporary spot in the fruit bowl on the counter, patiently ripening until they reach their peak. Then, into the refrigerator they go, preserving their perfect texture and sweetness until I’m ready to enjoy them – which, admittedly, isn’t usually for very long!
Lately, my kitchen has been a pear-centric haven. I’ve been experimenting with these delightful fruits in countless ways, adding their natural sweetness to my morning smoothies, crafting homemade pear chutney to swirl into my oatmeal, and baking them into an array of comforting fall desserts and pastries. Their versatility is truly inspiring, making them a staple in my seasonal cooking.
Embracing Pear Season: A Fall Favorite
The autumn harvest brings an incredible abundance of fresh pears, each variety offering its unique characteristics. USA Pears is currently harvesting all ten of their exquisite varieties, and for this particular recipe, my personal preference leans towards the Yellow Bartlett. These pears are celebrated for their wonderfully sweet and intensely juicy flesh when perfectly ripe, making them a fantastic choice for both eating fresh and for culinary applications like poaching.
Choosing and Storing the Perfect Pears
Knowing how to select a ripe pear is key to enjoying its full flavor. The most reliable method is to gently press on the narrow “neck” of the pear, right near where the stem is attached. If it yields slightly to the pressure, your pear is ripe and ready to eat. Another trick I often use is what I affectionately call the “sniff test.” A perfectly ripe pear will emit a delicate, sweet, and distinctly pear-like aroma, signaling its readiness. To extend their freshness, ripen pears at room temperature, then store them in the refrigerator, where they can last for several days to a week. For poaching, slightly under-ripe pears are often preferred as they hold their shape better during the cooking process.
Crafting the Poached Pear and Brie Salad
This recipe, an absolute autumn favorite, features under-ripe Yellow Bartlett pears lovingly poached in a fragrant Riesling wine. Once cooled and sliced, these glistening, tender pears are arranged atop a vibrant bed of crisp mixed greens, then generously tossed with rich, creamy brie and a delightful scattering of toasted pecans. The final touch is a drizzle of homemade balsamic vinaigrette, tying all the exquisite flavors together.
The Elegance of Poaching Pears
Poaching pears may sound like a sophisticated culinary technique reserved for professional chefs, but I assure you, it’s remarkably simple and incredibly rewarding. At its core, poaching is merely a fancy term for gently simmering ingredients in a flavorful liquid until they become tender and infuse with the surrounding flavors. For our poached pears, we create a sweet and aromatic poaching liquid using a harmonious blend of white wine (such as Riesling or Pinot Grigio), water, and granulated sugar. The gentle heat allows the pears to soften beautifully while absorbing the subtle notes of the wine and sweetness, resulting in a truly elegant ingredient for your salad.
Step-by-Step Poaching Perfection
The process begins by combining the white wine, water, and granulated sugar in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle medium-low simmer. While your poaching liquid is heating, prepare your pears. Carefully peel them, leaving the stem intact for both an appealing aesthetic presentation and a convenient handle for easy plating later. This step ensures a smooth, tender texture once poached.
Once the poaching liquid is simmering gently, carefully place your peeled pears into the liquid, ensuring they are lying on their side to cook evenly. Allow them to simmer for approximately 20 minutes, remembering to turn them over once halfway through the cooking time. This ensures uniform tenderness and flavor absorption throughout each pear. You’ll know they’re perfectly poached when a toothpick inserted into the widest part of the pear slides in with minimal resistance.
After the pears have reached their tender perfection, remove them from the saucepan using a slotted spoon and set them aside to cool. Don’t discard the poaching liquid! Instead, increase the heat to medium-high and allow the mixture to reduce by half, which usually takes about 10 minutes. This reduction concentrates the flavors, creating a rich, sweet syrup that has many delightful uses beyond the salad.
Assembling Your Flavorful Salad
Once the poached pears have cooled sufficiently to handle, slice them into elegant, thin wedges. In a large serving bowl, arrange a vibrant bed of crisp mixed greens. Artfully place the sliced poached pears on top, then generously scatter cubes of creamy brie cheese and a handful of crunchy toasted pecans. Finally, drizzle the entire salad with your homemade balsamic vinaigrette, ensuring every component is lightly coated. The combination of sweet, tender pears, savory brie, crunchy pecans, and tangy dressing creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly irresistible.
Beyond the Salad: Creative Uses for Poaching Liquid
While the reduced poaching liquid isn’t used directly in the salad itself, its rich, sweet, and subtly wine-infused flavor makes it a versatile ingredient that you won’t want to waste. It’s absolutely delicious stirred into a sparkling cocktail, adding a sophisticated sweetness. Try a splash in bubbly champagne for an elegant twist, or simply mix it with cold club soda for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage. If you happen to have a leftover poached pear, spooning this flavorful liquid over it elevates it into a simple yet decadent snack. For an even more luxurious treat, top your poached pear with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of the reduced poaching liquid – it’s a dessert revelation!
Recipe: Poached Pear Salad with Brie
Poached Pear Salad with Brie
Sweet pears poached in crisp Riesling and sliced thin atop a bed of mixed greens tossed with creamy brie and crunchy toasted pecans. This elegant salad is a perfect way to celebrate the flavors of fall.
Yield: 4 servings
Total Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
Poached Pears:
- 4 under-ripe Yellow Bartlett Pears, peeled (stems left on for aesthetics)
- 2 cups dry white wine, such as Riesling or Pinot Grigio
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Salad:
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as spring mix or baby spinach)
- 8-ounces brie cheese, rind trimmed (optional), sliced or cubed
- 1 and 1/2 cups toasted pecans (roughly chopped for better distribution)
- 1 recipe homemade balsamic vinaigrette (see below)
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced very fine
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
Poached Pears:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the white wine, water, and granulated sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
- While the liquid simmers, carefully peel the pears, leaving the stem intact. Gently add the peeled pears to the simmering liquid, ensuring they are partially submerged and ideally lying on their side. Cook for 20 minutes, turning the pears once halfway through the cooking process, or until a toothpick inserted into the widest part of a pear goes in easily, indicating tenderness.
- Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cooked pears from the poaching liquid and set them aside on a plate to cool.
- Increase the heat of the poaching liquid to medium-high and allow it to boil and reduce by half, which typically takes about 10 minutes. This creates a concentrated, flavorful syrup.
- Once the pears are cool enough to handle, slice them into thin, elegant wedges.
- Store any leftover reduced poaching liquid in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future use.
Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the fresh mixed greens. Arrange the sliced poached pears, brie cheese, and toasted pecans.
- Drizzle the desired amount of balsamic vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss to combine everything thoroughly, ensuring the dressing coats the greens and other components evenly.
- Serve immediately as a stunning appetizer, a light lunch, or an elegant side dish.
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard until well combined.
- While continuously whisking, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the vinaigrette emulsifies and thickens slightly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
The reduced poaching liquid is a delightful bonus! It can be used to sweeten cocktails, added to champagne for a festive touch, or mixed with club soda for a refreshing mocktail. If you have a leftover pear, spoon the poaching liquid over it for a simple, elegant snack. For a truly decadent dessert, spoon the poaching liquid over vanilla ice cream.
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
This Poached Pear and Brie Salad truly encapsulates the essence of fall, offering a sophisticated yet simple dish that’s perfect for entertaining or a delightful family meal. The combination of tender, wine-infused pears, creamy brie, crunchy pecans, and tangy balsamic dressing creates an unforgettable culinary experience that celebrates the bounty of the season.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.