Prosciutto Salad Bowl with Pear and Cheese
Mixed greens with crispy prosciutto cubes, fresh cheese balls coated in dried flowers or cracked pink peppercorn, roasted pear slices, and grated carrots. Warm prosciutto and pear are pan-seared together, then combined with cool salad components and finished with balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon dried flowers or pink peppercorn, coarsely crushedblack pepper1:1spice
sharper heat
- 1 cups fresh cheese
- 1 lb cooked prosciutto, diced
- 2 pear, sliced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 ½ oz carrot, grated
- 1 lb mixed salad greens
- 0.0 oz balsamic vinaigrettered wine vinaigrette1:1acidic_dressing
lighter flavor
Instructions
- 1
Spread dried flowers or coarsely crushed pink peppercorn on a plate
- 2
Form fresh cheese into balls about 1 teaspoon each and roll in the flowers or peppercorn
- 3
Cut prosciutto into cubes and pear into slices
- 4
Sear prosciutto cubes in olive oil until crispy
- 5
Add pear slices and sear briefly
- 6
Remove pan from heat and transfer prosciutto and pear to a plate
- 7
Warm grated carrots in the still-hot pan off heat
- 8
Distribute mixed salad in a bowl
- 9
Top with prosciutto cubes, pear slices, carrots, and cheese balls
- 10
Dress with balsamic vinaigrette and serve with bread
Tips
Form cheese balls while flowers or peppercorn coating is on a flat plate for even coverage
Keep the pan hot enough to crisp prosciutto but not scorch the delicate pear
Good to Know
Keep dressed salad refrigerated up to 4 hours; coat cheese balls and store separately to prevent wilting.
Prepare cheese balls, toast flowers or peppercorn, grate carrots, and make dressing up to 1 day ahead. Cook prosciutto and pear just before serving.
Serve immediately after assembly while prosciutto is still warm and salad is crisp. Bread alongside.
Common Mistakes
Do not dress the entire salad before adding warm prosciutto and pear; moisture will wilt greens.
Do not skip roasting prosciutto; it provides textural contrast and necessary warmth to the dish.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
lighter flavor